§ 54. Captain Pilkingtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has read the pamphlets "How to break an Elephant's Heart" and "The Truth about the Circus," which have been sent to him; and whether he is satisfied that the present regulations to prevent cruelty are sufficient.
§ Mr. DeedesYes. My right hon. and gallant Friend has read the pamphlets. The Protection of Animals Act, 1911, makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal, and the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act, 1925, requires the registration of animal trainers and exhibitors, and confers powers of entry and inspection of premises where animals are trained and exhibited or kept for training and exhibition. My right hon. and gallant Friend has no reason to think that the existing statutory provisions are inadequate.