To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress his Department has made in the development of a new licensing system for travelling circuses; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress his Department has made in the development of a new licensing system for travelling circuses; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to his response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee report on the Licensing Act 2003, if he will set a timetable for the introduction of portable licences for circuses; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to his response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee report on the Licensing Act 2003, if he will set a timetable for the introduction of portable licences for circuses; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to include tickets for circuses in his Department's proposed Free Ticket Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to include tickets for circuses in his Department's proposed Free Ticket Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the Licensing Act 2003 on travelling circuses; what steps he plans to take to mitigate any negative effects; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the Licensing Act 2003 on travelling circuses; what steps he plans to take to mitigate any negative effects; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's review of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on travelling circuses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's review of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on travelling circuses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the progress of her Department’s review of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on travelling circuses; and how many responses the Department has received from (a) circuses and (b) local authorities...

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the progress of her Department’s review of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on travelling circuses; and how many responses the Department has received from (a) circuses and (b) local authorities...

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is her most recent assessment of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on travelling circuses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is her most recent assessment of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on travelling circuses.

I want to ask the hon. Lady a genuine question. I am seeking her view, not trying to make a point. The Kiley-Worthington report, commissioned by the RSPCA, substantially challenges the hon. Lady’s view that it is impossible to meet animals’ welfare needs in touring circuses. Why does the hon....

I want to ask the hon. Lady a genuine question. I am seeking her view, not trying to make a point. The Kiley-Worthington report, commissioned by the RSPCA, substantially challenges the hon. Lady’s view that it is impossible to meet animals’ welfare needs in touring circuses. Why does the hon....

I half expected the Minister to have caught your eye by now, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as he might have things to say about new clause 10 that will help the House considerably. I shall speak mainly to new clause 10, and I share the reservations expressed by the hon. Member...

I half expected the Minister to have caught your eye by now, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as he might have things to say about new clause 10 that will help the House considerably. I shall speak mainly to new clause 10, and I share the reservations expressed by the hon. Member...

My hon. Friend may shake his head in disbelief, but that is the scientific evidence. I want to put on record my concern about the nature of the campaign fought by Animal Defenders International. They produced opinion poll research which appeared to show very large majorities against the use of...

My hon. Friend may shake his head in disbelief, but that is the scientific evidence. I want to put on record my concern about the nature of the campaign fought by Animal Defenders International. They produced opinion poll research which appeared to show very large majorities against the use of...

I do not want to get into a big debate about the evidence for and against the welfare benefits for animals of appearing in circuses. There is a great deal of academic research that shows that many animals benefit from the learning experience in the circus. As long as their...

I do not want to get into a big debate about the evidence for and against the welfare benefits for animals of appearing in circuses. There is a great deal of academic research that shows that many animals benefit from the learning experience in the circus. As long as their...

We are actually talking about only one circus that uses wild animals—the Great British Circus. The hon. Gentleman said that if the circus had to get rid of its animals they could go to a permanently sited circus, so I understood that his attack was on the use of such...

We are actually talking about only one circus that uses wild animals—the Great British Circus. The hon. Gentleman said that if the circus had to get rid of its animals they could go to a permanently sited circus, so I understood that his attack was on the use of such...

Licensing Act 2003 (Amendment) Bill. Ten minute rule motion for leave to introduce a Bill. Agreed to on question. Presentation and first reading (Bill 65 2005-06). To be read a second time 2 December 2005.

Licensing Act 2003 (Amendment) Bill. Ten minute rule motion for leave to introduce a Bill. Agreed to on question. Presentation and first reading (Bill 65 2005-06). To be read a second time 2 December 2005.

I beg to move,"That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Licensing Act 2003 in relation to touring circuses; and for connected purposes." When the world is so troubled by natural disasters, international terrorism, threats of flu pandemics, the impact of climate change and scandalous poverty,...

I beg to move,"That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Licensing Act 2003 in relation to touring circuses; and for connected purposes." When the world is so troubled by natural disasters, international terrorism, threats of flu pandemics, the impact of climate change and scandalous poverty,...