§ 105. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the President of the Board of Trade what principles are at present applied by him with regard to the issue of licences for the importation into this country of horses for slaughtering.
§ Mr. LowSo far as licences issued by the Board of Trade are concerned, the position is as follows. Live horses may be imported from the Sterling Area, Western Europe and certain other countries under the open general licence. Imports from the Dollar Area and the other countries to which the open general licence does not apply are restricted for balance of payments reasons and are therefore subject to specific licensing. The import of live horses from most countries is also subject to veterinary regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Questions relating to the health and welfare of imported horses after they have arrived in the United Kingdom are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and questions about cruelty are for my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.