§ 36. Sir FRANK NELSONasked the Minister of Agriculture if any cases of rabies in dogs have occurred in the last 921 three years; if so, how many of them occurred in the case of dogs undergoing quarantine detention; and if he has in contemplation any relaxation of the present quarantine restrictions in respect of dogs imported into this country?
Mr. WOODThree cases of rabies have occurred in dogs in Great Britain in the last three years, all of these being among imported dogs undergoing the prescribed period of six months' quarantine after landing. In one of these cases the infecting bite must have been received at least five months and in another at least 6½ months before the dog's death. In view of the long and uncertain incubative period of the disease, the present quarantine restrictions in respect of dogs imported into this country arc the minimum necessary to ensure safety, and I regret that I cannot hold out hope of any relaxation.