§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the cattle aboard the "Hereford Express" were destined for slaughter in Glasgow.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe cargo consisted of 96 fat steers, 142 fat heifers and 24 store steers. I have no information on whether the cattle described as fat would have gone for immediate slaughter after release from the Glasgow detention centre.
§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cattle aboard the "Hereford Express" were destroyed 259W on board; and how many were swum ashore.
§ Mr. Gordon Campbell140 cattle had been drowned before the first boarding by the S.S.P.C.A. inspector. On that occasion he destroyed 29 cattle by humane killer and was able to free three animals which safely reached land. On the return visit the following day with an R.A.F. marksman the remaining 90 cattle were shot.
§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much time elapsed between the grounding of the "Hereford Express" and the destruction of the last beast on board.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe first grounding took place in the early hours of Thursday, 29th October, the second grounding at mid-day. The last animal on board was shot on the afternoon of Friday, 30th October.
§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if a humane killer was available aboard the "Hereford Express"; if the crew included someone trained in its use; and why it was not used to dispose quickly of the badly injured animals.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe Transit of Animals Order requires all cattle boats to carry a humane killer and to include in their crew someone trained in its use. Evidence as to whether or not these requirements were infringed will have to await the result of the inquiry which the Dutch Government has instituted.