Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIESasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the proceedings during a race called the Grand National on 24th March; whether, during the race, one horse broke its neck, another was fatally injured, and others received injuries; whether any representations have been made to the persons responsible for the arrangements of this race; and whether, in view of the cruelty involved, he will prohibit such a public exhibition in future under similar arrangements at the Aintree racecourse?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have no information on this subject beyond the statements which have appeared in the newspapers, and there are no powers under which I could prohibit the holding of a race in the circumstances mentioned. If a horse is entered for a race for which he is unfitted in such a manner as to constitute an1704W offence against the Protection of Animals Act, 1911, it is open to anyone to take proceedings for the breach of the law. There is no evidence before me, however, in this case to show that a breach of the law has taken place.