National Curriculum: Animal Welfare

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch Excerpts

Tuesday 24th February 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

I agree entirely with the noble Baroness. Organisations such as Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Blue Cross, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust and PDSA do excellent work. I am sure she will be interested to know that, under the Government’s successful free school programme, we will have the Milton Keynes special free school opening next year. It will be a 70-place alternative provision primary school for pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. It will incorporate a forest approach. They will keep chickens and will be taught by an experienced poultry keeper.

[Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)]

Does the Minister agree that hunting with dogs is a cruel and unnecessary sport? If so, how would he explain to young people in schools that the Tory party is threatening to repeal the hunting ban?

[Lord Nash]

If we offer all our children a really good education, which we are trying to do, they can make their minds up on these issues for themselves.