Clause 5 - Mutilation
Animal Welfare Bill
4:30 pm
Shona McIsaac (PPS (Rt Hon Alun Michael, Minister of State), Department of Trade and Industry; Cleethorpes, Labour)
Will the hon. Gentleman tell me whether his party is likely to have a free vote on the issue on Report? I understand that the Conservative party is to do so, and it is likely that the Government party will be allowed one too. I hear what he says about squirreling away the decision into a Committee considering a statutory instrument. Should we not, therefore, ensure that we have a full debate on the Floor of the House so that all hon. Members can express their views on this controversial subject?