Animal Welfare Bill

I support the amendment in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Byford, and the noble Duke, the Duke of Montrose. I apologise for not speaking on Second Reading; it was rather an unfortunate slip on my part. We came back from the Recess on the day of the debate and I thought that I was too late, so I hope the Minister will forgive me for not having contributed although I had a speech ready. I support the amendment because Clause 12(2)(b) already makes,"““provision to facilitate or improve co-ordination in relation to the carrying out by different persons of functions relating to the welfare of animals””." The amendment goes slightly further, but actually missed that provision. It does not try to exclude what we commonly call the dwellings within such transactions take place, nor is it applicable to the ““licensed breeding establishment””. It would simply outlaw practices where regulation may not be effective because premises where such dogs are sold may not be known by other people. Therefore it is right and proper that, if we are considering welfare, we should seriously take that into account.