New Clause. — (Periodical inspections.)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 29 Ebrill 1948.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Gerald Williams Mr Gerald Williams , Tonbridge 12:00, 29 Ebrill 1948

We welcome this new Clause as being an improvement on the Bill. However, as the whole Bill depends on an adequate inspection I feel that it is still a little loose. It simply says that stallions shall be inspected at intervals, as the Minister considers proper. That is very vague. The Minister said that he hopes to do it once a year; but we may eventually get an extremely slack Minister, or slack people who have to carry the order out. In fact, some animals may even get missed altogether for a year or two. We are very keen that these permits should be stamped with a rubber stamp, or endorsed with some Government mark, so that we know that the stallion cannot carry on its duties unless the permit is in adequate order. The Minister is no doubt happy in his mind that this will be the case, but we should have been happier had it been stated in the Bill that the permit has to be stamped every year. It is easy to get a permit for a young stallion; if he is pure he will probably pass the examination with the utmost ease, but within a few years anything might happen. Unless we know that the permit will be stamped by Government officials each year, the Bill will not he satisfactory.