§ Mr. MESSERasked the Home Secretary how many foreigners are there in this country appearing with performing animals; if there is any supervision of the training of performing animals and if the promoters of animal shows are asked to give any undertaking that there is no cruelty in the training or performance of animals?
§ Mr. LLOYDFifty-one aliens to whom certificates of registration have been issued under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act, 1925, are at present in this country. I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 3 of the Act which confers powers of entry and inspection of premises where animals are trained or exhibited or kept for1996W training or exhibition, and of inspection of any performing animals thereon. As regards the last part of the question, the Act does not require the giving of undertakings. If cruelty should occur the courts have power to prohibit the registered person against whom a complaint of cruelty is lodged from training or exhibiting performing animals or to impose conditions with regard thereto.