HC Deb 22 July 1889 vol 338 cc979-80
MR. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is any Local Authority in the Metropolis to act under the Muzzling Order issued by the Privy Council; and, if not, whether the Commissioner of Police will carry it out on his own responsibility?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS, Birmingham, E.)

Under Section 41 of the Animals Diseases Act 1878, and Section 40 of the Local Government Act, 1888, the London County Council are the Local Authority in the Metropolis by whom and at whose expense the Muzzling Order issued by the Privy Council has to be executed and enforced.

MR. LAWSON

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the second part of the question.

MR. MATTHEWS

The second part of the question is asked only in the event of there being no Local Authority.

MR. NORRIS (Tower Hamlets, Limehouse)

May I ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he is able to state the area comprised under the Privy Council Order as to the muzzling of dogs, and if within that area the police have authority to capture or destroy stray dogs; and, whether it is contemplated to issue a General Order for the whole country?

MR. LAWSON

Under whose authority are the police acting?

* THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, Westminster

The Order of the Privy Council applies to the City of London and to the district of the Metropolitan Police. The police have power under the Order to seize and detain stray dogs; but the power to destroy (which is under the Metropolitan Streets Act, 1867, and not under the Order in Council) extends only to the County of London. It is not contemplated at present to issue a General Order for the whole country.