§ 61. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will introduce legislation amending the Exportation of Horses Act, 1937, for the purpose of 77W increasing the value under which a horse may not be exported from this country from £25 to £100.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI am not prepared to increase the figure to £100 since that would unduly restrict the export of horses for work. Some increase in the figure specified in the 1937 Act may, however, be desirable, and I am arranging for this matter to be considered.
§ 64. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Agriculture what are the weekly shipments of horses to Belgium and other European countries; and what steps he is taking to prevent the export of horses for slaughter.
Mr. T. WiliamsFor 1948 the average was 39 horses a week to Belgium and 43 a week to other European countries. Under the Diseases of Animals Acts, 1894, to 1937, no horse can be exported until it has been examined by a veterinary surgeon and certified as fit for travel and suitable for work. The value of the horse must also exceed a specified figure. In addition, no licences are granted at the moment for the export of horses to Belgium unless the Belgian importer gives a written guarantee that the horses are required for work and will not be slaughtered.
§ 65. Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether further arrangements will be made with the Belgian Government whereby horses from this country destined for slaughter in Belgium shall in every case in future be examined here by a veterinary surgeon, on behalf of the Belgian Government, slaughtered, and their carcases sent over with the head, trachea and lungs, as was the case in the past.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsSuch an arrangement is unnecessary since permits to export horses to Belgium are given only in those cases where the importer has guaranteed that the animals are required for work and not for slaughter.