HC Deb 24 February 1955 vol 537 c195W
Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the number of deaths and accidents which have occurred in the training and exhibition of wild animals, including the death of René Ruellot who was mauled by four lions in a circus at Northampton, he will in future decline to make orders allowing the import of wild animals into this country.

Mr. Amory

My powers under the Diseases of Animals Act do not enable me to prohibit the import of wild animals for the reasons mentioned by the hon. Member.