HC Deb 27 July 1900 vol 86 cc1512-3
MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has considered the inconvenience caused by the present stringent regulations as to the bringing back into the United Kingdom of dogs temporarily removed abroad by their owners; whether he is aware that some of these persons are invalids who dislike being separated from their dogs, and in some cases have been prevented from going abroad for their health by the anxiety and annoyance of the regulations, and because they are unwilling to be parted from pets; whether he is aware that, in some cases, persons who have brought dogs back are unable to comply with the regulation that the dogs should be kept in the same house for six months, owing to having let their own houses or to inability to remain in the same place; and whether, seeing that some of these persons have been subjected to prosecution and conviction for failing to comply with the regulations from causes thus beyond their control, and having regard to the anxiety and loss of time and money thus caused, he will substitute, in the case of dogs who have been taken By their owners from this country and are being brought back from abroad, simple regulations requiring notice to be given of changes of residence and periodical inspection by official veterinary surgeons, with any necessary penalties for evasion.

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine's

My right hon. friend desires me to say that the question of the admission into Great Britain of dogs brought from abroad has been very fully considered from the various points of view to which the hon. Member refers. My right hon. friend does not consider that in practice the adoption of the suggestion made in the question would be found to afford the necessary measure of security against the reintroduction of rabies, but the practice of the Department with regard to the issue of licences has recently been somewhat modified, and perhaps the hon. Member will submit to my right hon. friend for further consideration particulars of any individual cases which may have been brought under his notice and in which he thinks that any cause for complaint exists.