Animal Welfare Bill

I largely agree with the hon. Gentleman. My only worry is that the treatment of an animal may not improve, leading to further delay. I would be grateful if the Minister assured me that the position will be clarified in regulations, as we need consistency. One inspector may issue a notice, and that is the end of their responsibility. Another inspector, however, may regard the same offence as a clear act of cruelty and take the animal into care, leading to a prosecution of the owner and so on. The Minister made a clear statement in Committee that that was not the Government’s preferred approach, but if he can provide a good justification for the change I will happily go along with it.