§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions under legislation related to the transport of animals there have been in each year since 1954; and if he will make a statement.
48W
§ Mr. MellorThe information available to me, which may be incomplete, is given in the following table. It is not possible, from data kept centrally, to distinguish separately convictions relating to the transport of animals. The welfare of animals during transit is governed by the provisions of the Animals Health Act 1981 and is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Orders under the Act are enforced by local authorities.
Offenders found guilty in magistrates' courts of offences against the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and Diseases of Animals Act 1950 or the Animal Health Act 1981:
England and Wales Number of Offenders Protection of Animals Act 1911 Diseases of Animals Act 1950 or Animals Health Act 1981 1971 479 1 1972 474 7 1973 500 10 1974 458 11 1975 * * 1976 593 8 1977 511 8 1978 570 13 1979 †598 †13 1980 †719 †29 1981 †719 †20 1982 728 †15 * Not available. † Figures from 1979 are not directly comparable with those for earlier years because of the effect of the Criminal Law Act 1977 and a new counting procedure.