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Mr. Forth: In that context, does my hon. Friend recall that, when the Minister spoke, he said that he had paid a private visit to a fur farm in Denmark and that it was
at the top of the range. He seemed to imply that the practice in Denmark was either acceptable, or certainly much more acceptable. That suggests that we should listen carefully to the Danish experience because it may point the way in which we should go.
Mr. Paterson: That is an admirable intervention. I am coming on to that. Our regulation system and our Ministry have failed to enforce a substantial range of powers that already exist.
Mr. Leigh: Before time runs out, will my hon. Friend deal with the view that has been expressed by the National Farmers Union, which sums up the debate:
- "It would be a major step to move from accepting what has hitherto been a legitimate form of farming, which is the subject of assiduous regulation and inspection by the authorities, to banning it altogether"?
Mr. Paterson: Again, I was coming to that point. We have a raft of regulation that should be properly enforced. The reaction should be to improve the regulation and enforce it better, rather than to go for the sledgehammer approach of banning the whole business.
We have the Mink Keeping Order 1997. There is the European convention on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes, and the European Union directive on farm animal welfare. I take just one. The European convention refers specifically to
Mr. Forth:
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. In the context of the debate, should Labour Members be protected against external stimuli applied by someone who is not here?
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Michael Lord):
That is not a sensible point of order.
Mr. Paterson:
It was still quite amusing and relevant to the control of Labour Members.
Article 6 of the convention states:
Time is running on. Although I could quote further from European legislation--
Mr. Paterson:
As a gesture to my hon. Friend, I shall return home, to the United Kingdom, and deal with the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968, which gives the Minister huge powers to intervene.
Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth and Camborne)
rose in her place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
Question put, That the Question be now put:--
The House divided: Ayes 127, Noes 4.
Tellers for the Ayes:
Tellers for the Noes:
Question accordingly agreed to.
Question, That the Bill be now read a Second time, put accordingly and agreed to.
Bill read a Second time, and committed to aStanding Committee, pursuant to Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of Bills).
Order for Second Reading read.
Mr. Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke):
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
I regret that there is so little time for a Second Reading debate. The Bill is not politically contentious, but is a solid, practical measure that is now needed. It has considerable cross-party support, which is not surprising since the evolutionary process that has led to it was started by the previous Administration. The main purpose of the Bill is to provide a statutory framework that maximises the benefits of establishing a central computer database of the MOT test status of vehicles. Computerisation of MOT testing will happen with or without the Bill--the public-private partnership is advancing--but, if it is not enacted, we shall not fully benefit from the advantages that computerisation can bring. That is why the Bill is needed.
"animals bred or kept for the production of food, wool, skin or fur or for other farming purposes".
It is very detailed. Article 3 states:
"Animals shall be housed and provided with food, water and care in a manner which--having regard to their species and to their degree of development, adaptation and domestication--is appropriate to their physiological and ethological needs in accordance with established experience and scientific knowledge."
[Interruption.]
"No animal shall be provided with food or liquid in a manner, nor shall such food or liquid contain any substance, which may cause unnecessary suffering or injury."
Article 5 states:
"The lighting, temperature, humidity, air circulation, ventilation, and other environmental conditions such as gas concentration or noise intensity in the place in which an animal is housed, shall"
have regard "to its species".
AYES
Amess, David
Anderson, Donald (Swansea E)
Atherton, Ms Candy
Atkins, Charlotte
Austin, John
Banks, Tony
Barnes, Harry
Bell, Martin (Tatton)
Benton, Joe
Betts, Clive
Blears, Ms Hazel
Blizzard, Bob
Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin)
Brake, Tom
Brooke, Rt Hon Peter
Buck, Ms Karen
Burden, Richard
Campbell, Alan (Tynemouth)
Cann, Jamie
Caplin, Ivor
Cawsey, Ian
Clark, Rt Hon Alan (Kensington)
Clark, Paul (Gillingham)
Clarke, Tony (Northampton S)
Coaker, Vernon
Coffey, Ms Ann
Cohen, Harry
Colman, Tony
Cooper, Yvette
Corbett, Robin
Corbyn, Jeremy
Cousins, Jim
Cox, Tom
Cunningham, Jim (Cov'try S)
Darvill, Keith
Davies, Geraint (Croydon C)
Day, Stephen
Dismore, Andrew
Dowd, Jim
Drew, David
Drown, Ms Julia
Eagle, Angela (Wallasey)
Eagle, Maria (L'pool Garston)
Efford, Clive
Etherington, Bill
Field, Rt Hon Frank
Fitzpatrick, Jim
Flint, Caroline
Foster, Michael J (Worcester)
Gapes, Mike
Gardiner, Barry
Gerrard, Neil
Goggins, Paul
Gordon, Mrs Eileen
Griffiths, Jane (Reading E)
Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)
Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale)
Hancock, Mike
Harman, Rt Hon Ms Harriet
Heath, David (Somerton & Frome)
Henderson, Ivan (Harwich)
Hill, Keith
Hodge, Ms Margaret
Hopkins, Kelvin
Horam, John
Jackson, Ms Glenda (Hampstead)
Jones, Dr Lynne (Selly Oak)
Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald
Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston)
Keen, Ann (Brentford & Isleworth)
Kelly, Ms Ruth
King, Andy (Rugby & Kenilworth)
Kumar, Dr Ashok
Lepper, David
Leslie, Christopher
Linton, Martin
Livingstone, Ken
Lloyd, Tony (Manchester C)
Loughton, Tim
Love, Andrew
McCafferty, Ms Chris
McDonnell, John
McIsaac, Shona
Mackinlay, Andrew
McNulty, Tony
Mahon, Mrs Alice
Marsden, Gordon (Blackpool S)
Marshall-Andrews, Robert
Michie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley)
Miller, Andrew
Morley, Elliot
Naysmith, Dr Doug
O'Hara, Eddie
Olner, Bill
Palmer, Dr Nick
Plaskitt, James
Pollard, Kerry
Pond, Chris
Pound, Stephen
Prentice, Gordon (Pendle)
Robinson, Peter (Belfast E)
Roche, Mrs Barbara
Rooker, Jeff
Ross, Ernie (Dundee W)
Ruddock, Joan
Russell, Bob (Colchester)
Russell, Ms Christine (Chester)
Ryan, Ms Joan
Sawford, Phil
Sedgemore, Brian
Shaw, Jonathan
Shipley, Ms Debra
Skinner, Dennis
Smith, Jacqui (Redditch)
Soley, Clive
Thomas, Gareth R (Harrow W)
Timms, Stephen
Tipping, Paddy
Turner, Dr Desmond (Kemptown)
Twigg, Stephen (Enfield)
Vis, Dr Rudi
Wareing, Robert N
White, Brian
Whitehead, Dr Alan
Wicks, Malcolm
Wise, Audrey
Wright, Anthony D (Gt Yarmouth)
Angela Smith and
Ms Bridget Prentice.
NOES
Forth, Rt Hon Eric
Hunter, Andrew
Maclean, Rt Hon David
Swayne, Desmond
Mr. Owen Paterson and
Mr. Peter Atkinson.2.16 pm
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