Contributions
1,788 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Fourth sitting)We have moved beyond primates. [Hon. Members: “Hooray!”] Exactly. We are into a new part of this curious Bill. I start by welcoming the Government’s decision to update the Dogs…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Fourth sitting)The Minister is correct.16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Fourth sitting)I find this set of amendments baffling. I would welcome an explanation from the Minister as to why it was necessary to bring forward these amendments to the Government’s own Bill…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Fourth sitting)Yes, that helps hugely.16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Ordered, That further consideration be now adjourned. — (Heather Wheeler.)16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)I need say no more than that we totally agree. This is a very strong and important provision. Question put and agreed to . Clause 18 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill.…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. His expertise is extremely helpful to the Committee and shows how complicated this is. Clause 16(2)(c) is just too aggressive in this context.…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)I beg to move amendment 113, in clause 16, page 9, line 15, leave out ‘put down’ and insert ‘humanely euthanised’. This amendment would bring the language in the Bill in line with…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)Once again, this is an important additional set of powers, which we think will be helpful. I suspect that this is also an exercise in updating the powers available in order to…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)I understand the difficulty the Minister has trying to license something of which we have very little knowledge. That goes back to my basic point that this is a slightly flawed…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)As I have already reflected on, this has become a discussion around how to license. Once again, as ever, I defer to the legal expertise of the Minister. I am sure that she knows…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)The dialogue around this issue is becoming interesting. The clause further shows the potential problem: not only are primates being kept as pets, but they are being kept in…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)We are seeing exactly what I predicted earlier: a rolling process of permanent licensing. The Bill absolutely does not stop primates from being kept as pets, and I regret that. We…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendment made: 10, in clause 5, page 4, line 1, at end insert— “(4A) For the purposes of subsections…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)This has been a helpful discussion—hopefully, we will come to a sensible resolution. I hear what the Minister says about the advice and guidance. My reflection, having been some…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Fourth sitting)I am sorry to labour the point. Of course consultation is always a great thing, but I think the Minister has made it quite clear what she believes needs to be done. I am trying to…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Fourth sitting)I hear what the Minister says, and I do not doubt her sincerity, but I do not understand how it can be quicker to do this through secondary legislation, nor do I understand why…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Fourth sitting)I was tempted to push for a vote just now, but we can continue our discussion. There is plenty to discuss, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam for…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Fourth sitting)Having moved some hundreds of amendments and never gotten that close, I am extremely jealous. Would my hon. Friend agree that the vote we have seen this afternoon reflects that…16 Nov 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (Third sitting)I beg to move amendment 116, in clause 20, page 11, line 3, leave out “may” and insert “must”. This amendment would require the Secretary of State to provide guidance to local…16 Nov 2021