§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that 14 ponies shipped from Dover on 19th April, 1967, under a permit issued by his Department, were driven to an abattoir at Grand Rue 23, Rance, Belgium; and if he will set up an inquiry into this case and into the export of horses and ponies for slaughter in general.
§ Mr. PeartI have seen some Press reports. I will write to the hon. Member when I have further information.
§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many ponies travelled to the Continent on 19th April from Dover in a horse transport owned by C. A. Bowers & Sons, Turners Hill, near Crawley, Sussex, Registration No. GNJ 994D; for how many ponies his Department issued a special permit; and why some ponies for which this special permit was issued did not travel to the Continent.
§ Mr. PeartFourteen. The Ministry issued the appropriate certificate, which is subject to veterinary inspection of the animals at the port, on 14th April for 18 animals, of which 17 were presented at Dover for inspection. Three were rejected by the inspecting officer as incapable of shipment without unnecessary suffering.
§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how 323W many British ponies were exported to Belgium in 1964, 1965, and 1966, respectively.
§ Mr. PeartFigures for ponies alone are not available. The numbers of horses, including ponies, were 119, 150 and 395 respectively.