§ 15. Lieut.-Colonel Wickhamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of dogs both licensed and exempted in Somerset at the latest convenient date; and how far, judged by other agricultural counties, this number is disproportionate to the population?
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)For the year 1942 the number of dogs licensed and exempted in Somerset were, respectively, 36,523 and about 6,000. I have obtained comparative figures for three counties with comparable populations and I find that the percentage of dogs to population is 7.57 in Somerset, 7.56 in Devon, 7.89 in Wilts, and 5.59 in Northumberland.
§ 16. Lieut.-Colonel Wickhamasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the damage caused by stray dogs to farm livestock and to gardens no longer protected by railings; and whether he will instruct the police authorities to make full use of their existing powers in order to abate this nuisance?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have no doubt that the police will do their best to render such help as they can in this matter. The flow of communications which it is necessary to send to the police is so large that I am reluctant to add to it by issuing a general circular on this subject, but if my hon. and gallant Friend knows of any case where the police appear to have been unhelpful and will send me particulars, I will look into it.