§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in possession of information to prove that some of the worn-out horses exported from this country are rested for a while and then used in connection with bull-fighting in Spain; and, if so, whether he will take all possible steps to prevent such traffic
§ Sir H. BARNSTONI have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has no information to show that horses exported from Great Britain are subsequently used for bull-fighting. Owing to the high cost of conveying horses from Northern France or Belgium to Spain it is improbable that such horses reach the bull-ring, and in the last three years only nine horses have been shipped direct to Spain and 15 to Portugal. I would remind the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend is appointing a Departmental Committee to consider the export of horses from this country, and this aspect of the trade will no doubt come before the Committee.