§ Mr. CONNOLLYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, in an operation performed on horses, a squeezing instrument known as a clam is used, which causes great suffering, this being followed by a searing process; that, alternatively, the bleeding is stopped by 2225W crushing or by caustic and crushing, which also causes great agony to the animal; and whether he will consider the desirability of making compulsory the employment of a complete and general anæsthetic in these operations on all horses over four months old?
Mr. GUINNESSThe methods adopted in performing the operation to which the2226W hon. Member refers were considered very carefully by the Select Committee of the House of Lords, who examined the Animals (Anæsthetics) Bill, 1919, and I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 17th February last to a similar question put to me by the hon. Member for Finchley (Mr. Cadogan), a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.