11. Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken to better the conditions of pit ponies, especially in view of the cases recently before the courts of cruelties by pony-drivers.
§ Mr. RobensAs I explained recently, draft regulations will shortly be introduced to amend the Third Schedule to the Coal Mines Act, 1911, so as to include in it the proposals contained in the Private Member's Bill introduced by the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore). I will shortly be receiving representatives of the Animal Protection Societies with a view to considering whether the draft regulations should incorporate any further proposals of theirs which are practicable and meet a real need. I have no information of cases of cruelties by pony-drivers recently before the courts.