§ Sir A. Baillieasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the numerous cases of loss of animal stock by neglect and cruelty; and whether the war agricultural executive committees have the power in all cases where farmers have shown neglect which was punished by the courts of supervising all future control of stock of the farmers concerned.
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonNo, Sir. I have no information which suggests that cases of loss of livestock through cruelty or neglect are at all numerous. The powers enabling county war agricultural commit-1934W tees to exercise control over livestock kept on farms are designed to ensure the maintenance of efficient food production. The committees have no specific authority to deal with cases of cruelty or neglect of farm animals, but where wastage of food would result, action may be taken to regulate the numbers and classes of stock kept. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any cases of this nature in mind and will send me particulars, I will look into them.