§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in relation to improving the welfare of circus animals with particular reference to winter quarters. [133135]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThere are already laws covering the welfare of circus and other captive animals. It is an offence under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 to cause them unnecessary suffering. Under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925, the police and local authorities have inspection powers and can take action through the courts if the training or exhibiting of any performing animal is accompanied by cruelty. The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 safeguards the welfare of animals when they are being moved between sites.
The Government have no current plans to introduce other statutory measures for the welfare of animals in travelling circuses. It is, however, helping the Association of Circus Proprietors to prepare a related Code of Practice.
We have accepted that circus winter quarters should be subject to licensing controls to ensure basic standards of animal welfare. There is at present little prospect of a slot for this in the Government's legislative programme.
Any Private Member's Bill brought forward on the subject—such as that introduced this Session by the hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess)—will be carefully considered.