§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 7 December,Official Report, column 290, (1) what were the whereabouts of the official Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food veterinary surgeon during the period in which the animals were left in unattended lorries in France on the night of 1 December;
(2) if the veterinary surgeon employed by the shipping company was in a position to feed and water the animals in the livestock lorries that were left without drivers in France on the night of 1 December.
§ Mrs. BrowningIt was intended that a veterinary officer should fly with the drivers to meet the vessel at Cherbourg in order to monitor the arrangements at disembarkation. However, the flight did not take place so the officer remained in this country. The veterinary surgeon employed by the company was not in a position to feed and water the calves in the livestock lorries which were delayed in Calais as this could not be done without unloading the calves from the lorries.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how long the animals flown from Coventry airport to France, back to Coventry airport, and subsequently back to France again on the night of 6 December and morning of 7 December remained in the aircraft; what provision there was for them to be fed, watered and rested during the journey; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that all the animals flown from Coventry airport, to France, back to Coventry airport, and subsequently back to France again on the night of 6 December and morning of 7 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.
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 12 December 1994]: I am informed that the calves journeyed from premises in Somerset to Coventry airport, where they were loaded under official supervision for a flight to Rennes. Local turbulence prevented the plane from touching down at Rennes, so it returned to Coventry airport, where the calves were unloaded under official supervision. The calves were then sent back to their home premises where they were immediately given suitable liquid food and subsequently inspected by a local veterinary inspector. He was satisfied with their condition but administered prophylactic treatment. The entire journey, including the aborted landing and return to the premises of origin, took 15½ hours.