§ LORD AILWYNasked His Majesty's Government whether they are aware that, according to the Press, many hundreds of animals have been arriving in this country during the last few months for stocking the various zoos and menageries in the United Kingdom; whether, in view of the shortage of feedingstuffs generally in the country, this is thought to be a propitious time for setting aside the large quantities of food required for the essential maintenance of these animals; and whether they will not rather consider the advisability of restricting, if not of prohibiting, imports of this nature until such a time as the country can better afford to support such amenities.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHImports of live quadrupeds during the first eight months of 1949 have been much less than during the similar period of 1948. The amount of food required for their maintenance is small in relation to the country's total feeding-stuff supplies, the allocation of rationed foodstuffs by the Ministry of Food to zoos and similar institutions being only about 150 tons, plus a very small allocation of condemned raw meat. In addition, the zoos rely on their own produce. In the circumstances, His Majesty's Government see no reason to prohibit such imports.
House adjourned at ten minutes before seven o'clock.