Animal Welfare Bill

I certainly will. I visited the ““Big Brother”” house this morning to discuss the conduct of the hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Mr. Galloway). In my remarks at the ““Big Brother”” house, I also condemned the wearing of gorilla fur, which is atrocious, by the hon. Gentleman’s colleague, Mr. Peter Burns from Dead or Alive. This morning, I told executives at Channel 4 and Endemol UK Productions that they should be ashamed for allowing a coat made from gorilla fur into the house, and I hope that the Minister takes up the issue with them. Finally, the will of the House is clear on keeping primates as pets. The House would like the opportunity to vote on a complete ban, and I hope that the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) introduces his amendment. Primates are extremely sociable animals that live comparatively long lives—20 to 40 years—and which are wholly unsuitable domestic pets. The Scottish Parliament is currently considering a Bill that would allow the Scottish Executive to impose a ban on keeping specific species of animal. Clause 10 of this Bill gives the Government broad powers to introduce regulations, but it does not make it explicit that the Government have the power to ban the ownership of specific species. I hope that the Government will revisit that clause and introduce an amendment to give them the power to ban the ownership of specific species of animal.