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Animal Welfare Bill

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for explaining his amendments. We are very pleased to support them, and to support Amendments Nos. 15 and 25 in particular, which put a duty on the national authority to consult. The Minister asked when any regulation had been rejected. I believe that the House voted against one on supplementary medicine. It went to another place and our vote was overturned straight away. I accept what the Minister said about any future discussions on the powers of this House, but it would make an enormous difference if we could have a greater say in this. The Minister says that any judgment would be based on scientific evidence. I am happy to have that on the record. I do not doubt it for a minute. My amendment was not trying to suggest that it should be considered only for that reason. That was not its intention. This shows how carefully one must choose the right words to ensure that one’s amendments fit what one is trying to do. I thank the Minister for his response, and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 13 [Licensing or registration of activities involving animals]: