Animal Welfare Bill

I am trying to answer the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink). What I am trying to say is, ““Let’s have it based on evidence.”” A circus owner would have to show that an animal’s welfare needs were being met. I am confident, as are many organisations, that they will not be met. Therefore, the Secretary of State would have the power to prohibit those animals being kept in circuses. I heard what the hon. Gentleman said about the statistics. The statistics that I have from my constituency show that 78 per cent. of people would ban all animals from travelling circuses and 16 per cent. would—[Interruption.] Seventy-eight per cent. of my constituents who responded to me would ban all animals in travelling circuses. Of those, 16 per cent. would apply the ban to all wild animals. There is a lot of strong feeling on the issue. I apologise. I said that I would give way to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe), and I shall do so now.