§ Mr. PENNYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that some of the work-worn and aged horses which are annually exported from this country to the Continent are rested for a while and then used in Spain for bull-fighting, in which they are exposed to great suffering; and whether he can do anything to prevent horses sent out of this country from sharing such fate?
§ Mr. BUXTONI have no information that horses exported from Great Britain to the Continent are subsequently used for bull-fighting. Owing to the high cost of transporting horses through the northern French ports and thence to Spain, it is improbable that English horses ever enter the bull-ring. I can only prevent horses unfit to travel or work proceeding to the Continent, and cannot exercise any control over their subsequent movements and treatment. In the two and a half years from 1st January, 1922, to 30th June last, the number of horses shipped from this country to Spain was seven, and the number shipped to Portugal was 12. Some of these horses were of very high value.