§ 9 and 10. Mr. Lipsonasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he can give an assurance that all necessary steps are being taken to provide our troops on all fronts with a sufficient number of patrol dogs;
(2) why the offer at the beginning of the war of the British Alsatian Training Club to supply working dogs for patrols was refused; and what societies that specialise in training dogs for war purposes have been consulted?
§ Mr. StanleyThe employment of patrol dogs is still in the experimental stage. I have not been able to trace an offer from the British Alsatian Training Club, and I am not aware of any societies which specialise in training dogs for war pur- 1023 poses, but the police authorities and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association have been consulted.
§ Mr. LipsonDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that it is quite wrong for this matter to be still in the experimental stage? Can he give any reason why our arrangements for control dogs are not at least comparable with those made by the enemy?
§ Mr. StanleyI do not know what information the hon. Gentleman has about patrol dogs of the enemy. I am not aware that dogs are very largely being used, but where they have been used is I understand to accompany people who happened to be on frontier guard in peace time.
§ Mr. LipsonWould my right hon. Friend not at least give an assurance that he will look into this matter further to see that more energetic steps are taken?