Animal Welfare Bill

First, may I add my comments to those of other hon. Members about Tony Banks, who did a great deal in this House for animal welfare? It is very sad that he is not with us to see the introduction of this Bill today. I welcome the Bill and add my support and that of my hon. Friends to that expressed by the Conservative party and Labour Back Benchers. We support the Bill, but we will also seek to improve it. Although it is a matter of party policy for us, Liberal Democrat Members will, like other hon. Members, have free votes on certain issues, one or two of which have already been raised. Given that the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) has mentioned that he keeps a protected animal, I should mention that I have two cats, which do even less of what they are told than his dog. The legislation is long overdue, and it has had a long gestation. The hon. Member for North-West Leicestershire (David Taylor) was right to say that such legislation normally comes forward only under a Liberal Government. If we had had more Liberal Governments, we might have more legislation to improve animal welfare.