HL Deb 30 January 1978 vol 388 cc649-50WA
Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether conditions have been inspected recently at horse sales held at the following locations and, if so, with what result: Kirkham, near Blackpool; Haswell, near Newcastle; Greenfield, near Oldham; Pannal, near Harrogate; Holmes Chapel, Cheshire; Southall, Middlesex; Mansfield; Lepton, near Huddersfield.

Lord STRABOLGI

I understand that local authority inspectors have recently attended all those sales which take place regularly and in most cases have found welfare conditions satisfactory. Six of the eight sales concerned were also visited by veterinary staff of the Ministry of Agriculture within the last few months.

At none of these was there evidence of any cruelty to animals but two minor infringements of the Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order 1975 were noted. Action on one of these infringements has already been taken; the other is under consideration.