10
Pet Animals Act 1951
[Lord Houghton of Sowerby.]
[LORD
I do not think that the Minister has any grounds for serious concern about the ill-effects upon the com- mercial interests of those engaged in this trade. It is true that many of them have been in the market for a very long time. These three families under different names have controlled the business in Club Row for a great many years. They are also actively concerned in other activities.
I conclude by apologising for keeping the Com- mittee so long on the Motion that the clause shall stand part, but it is in the hope that I have given the Com- may at least bring him to believe that the Bill has greater merits than perhaps he understood at the conclusion of the Second Reading debate. My final sentence is this. Members of another place await this Bill and will put their efforts behind it; I should add that the honourable Member for the constituency in which Club Row is situated, Mr. Ian Mikado, has stated quite voluntarily that he will give this Bill his fullest support, if and when it arrives in another place.
Lord Belstead: In his remarks on Clause I stand part the noble Lord, Lord Houghton, took up the point which I sought to make on Second Reading, that if this Bill were to pass into law, it is arguable that it would hit far more than its target. When I said that I had in mind the requirements in the 1951 Act for the holding of a licence and during Second Reading I gave some details of those requirements. I reminded your Lordships then of the existence of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and of the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960. I had that legislation in mind when I spoke. I went on to refer to the way in which the Tower Hamlets Borough Council environmental health department had streng- thened its requirements for the holding of a licence under the 1951 Act. Thus, in saying that the Bill would hit more than its target, I meant--and, indeed, I think I said--that it would affect markets where traders are conforming to the conditions of their licences. I said this also in the context of the strengthen- ing of the licence requirements by the Tower Hamlets environmental health department.
Therefore, with that statutory base, we must look at the evidence before the Government could possibly bring forward a public Bill. Although I appreciate the noble Lord's concern, which he has repeated this evening, and although the Home Office always takes seriously any comments from the RSPCA, I must tell your Lordships this evening that since the Second Reading the Home Office has written to five district councils, which were selected at random. So far we have received two replies and both from Harlow and from South Tyneside-have told us that there are on problems in their street markets.
It is for those reasons that I said on Second Reading, and I repeat this evening, that the Government have no plans for introducing legislation. However, the noble Lord has done so, although on the fairly limited basis of the present Bill. I would simply say that the Government are not opposing the provisions of this Bill as it passes through its Committee stage in your Lordships' House.
Clause I agreed to.
[Amendment No. 1 not moved.}
ник Clavice 24 MICK 040/2
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House reeMARI98brted without amendments;
Repor
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6.49 p.m.
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2-4.2.81
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224.3.
AN 4 Hon, Kong
Lord Brockway rose to ask Her Majesty's Govern- ment whether they will appoint Royal Commission to survey the unique social and political problems of Hong Kong and to make recommendations regarding its future.
The noble Lord said: My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. I must acknowledge that I have never been to Hong Kong. Yet I feel that I know it as well as I know London. That is because for over 15 years I have had continuous correspondence with knowledgeable people there, not only those engaged in politics, but in the social life of the people; for I have received many communications from different organisations, have met their deputations when they have come to this country, and have learned much from the official reports which the Hong Kong Government have issued. I pay my tribute to their factual information.
My purpose tonight is not to criticise those who are responsible for conducting the administration in Hong Kong. I do not know in any country so many difficulties and complexities as they have to face. What I am seeking to do is to suggest that those problems are so great that we should ask the highest advisory autho- rity in our constitution to consider them and to advise
us.
In my Question I describe the social and political problems of Hong Kong as unique. I think I shall be able to show that they are. They are due to the fact that Hong Kong is poised in a situation of relation- ship with China and uncertainties about its own future. After the two opium wars in 1840 and 1860 treaties. were signed which designated Hong Kong in perpetuity to Britain. China declares that they are invalid because they were imposed in those circumstances. I think it undoubted that, if that issue went to the Hague Court of International Justice, the court would agree, because of precedents which have occurred, that those treaties are invalid.
But the situation in Hong Kong does not rest merely on those treaties. In 1898 Britain leased from China the great area of New Territories, and that lease ends in 1997. I think it is generally acknowledged that Hong Kong could not be maintained without those New Territories. Therefore, in 16 years at most the momentous decision has to be taken whether Hong Kong is handed back to China or whether it remains in British occupation. Sixteen years is a short time for the conditions which would arise in either case. A decision cannot be delayed because of the consequences for the population of Hong Kong and its economy. The Financial Times has suggested that a decision should be made by 1985-four years away. The Executive Director of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, Mr. J. McGregor, says that a decision must be made by 1982 at the latest. He points out that
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