Wild Animals (Circuses) Debate

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Department: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

John Spellar

Main Page: John Spellar (Labour - Warley)

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Oral Answers to Questions

Wild Animals (Circuses)

John Spellar Excerpts

Business of the House
Thursday 19th May 2011

(13 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Paice Portrait Mr Paice
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The latest estimate is that there are 39 such animals. Following the recent press exposure, there are now no elephants in our circuses. The last one, Nelly, who we saw being very badly treated, is now in a home.

John Spellar Portrait Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab)
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Last Thursday, the Minister clearly stated to the House:

“There have been recent press reports that the Austrian Government have been taken to court for their attempt to ban wild animals in circuses, so our Government can hardly recommend something that might not be legal.”—[Official Report, 12 May 2011; Vol. 527, c. 1344.]

There are only two possibilities: either the official gave him wrong advice, which I regret to say is not uncommon and in which case the official should go, or the Minister made the wrong judgment even though he had the facts, in which case the Minister should go. Which is it?

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