HC Deb 15 February 1924 vol 169 c1187W
Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to introduce a Bill to regulate the exhibition and treatment, of performing animals on the lines of the Measure introduced by General Colvin and supported by the Minister of Pensions and other hon. Members, as amended by Standing Committee C in the last Parliament; whether he is aware that the Bill, as amended, met the views of all parties concerned as a compromise, and would have passed through the last Parliament as an agreed Measure; and whether he is aware of the great feeling of uneasiness among the public on account of alleged cruelty by certain trainers and the desire of the better-class trainers themselves to prevent the present abuses?

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

I am in sympathy with the objects of this Bill, but am afraid it will not be possible to find time for the introduction of a Government Bill on the subject, having regard to the other demands on the time of the Government. I am not quite sure from the proceedings on the Bill last Session whether complete agreement has been arrived at between all the interests, but if that be the case, I should hope that it might have a good chance of passing as a Private Member's Bin.

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