§ Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received urging the reform of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe Government's proposals for modernising the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, announced in the White Paper in May, have been widely endorsed. There have been representations urging greater restrictions but we believe that our proposals, and in particular the new licensing system, will strike the right balance between the protection of animals and the protection of the health of the community and of animals.