§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that all the animals shipped from Plymouth to France on the night of 1 December were fed and watered within 15 hours of the start of their journey, and that all aspects of the journey plan for these animals were complied with;
(2) what plans he has to stop the transport of livestock in unattended lorries;
(3) how many livestock transporting lorries were left unattended for the voyage between Plymouth and France on the night of 1 December; how long the animals in these lorries were left unattended; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. BrowningI am informed that five livestock lorries were without drivers on landing at Calais after the aircraft which was to carry the drivers across the channel had been prevented from taking off by fog. Drivers were found for all of them and the longest period of delay was about three hours. During this period, the lorries were under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon employed by the shipping company to accompany the animals during the voyage. He has reported that the livestock were unaffected by the delay. Nevertheless, it is possible that delays of this sort could result in animals travelling for more than 15 hours without food and water, and as a result of this incident a notice has been served on the shipper prohibiting the carriage of livestock in lorries unaccompanied by their drivers.