Animal Welfare Bill

My Lords, I paused before I answered the noble Countess in case any other noble Lord was getting up. The noble Countess did not intervene; I had finished and she was asking a specific question. I am happy to facilitate debate, and I do not want any noble Lord to say that the Minister refused to answer. On the other hand, I must conform to the rules of the House. However, I say to the noble Baroness, Lady Fookes, that this matter was fully debated. It was the subject of a free vote, and this is the conclusion that the majority arrived at. However, I accept that there is a minority view on this matter. On Question, amendment agreed to.