§ 49. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture why dogs brought to this country by U.S.A. air-crews as mascots are ordered to be destroyed in cases where the airmen are willing to meet the expense of keeping them in quarantine.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)No instruction has been issued by my Department requiring imported dogs, which their owners are prepared to place in quarantine, to be destroyed, and, as far as I have been able to ascertain, no such Order has been issued by any other authority.
§ Mr. MorrisonHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the reports signed by the whole of the crew of a Flying Fortress that they offered to pay for the cost of keeping their mascot dog in quarantine but it was destroyed, although a dog belonging to another Flying Fortress crew was spared on the personal intervention of President Roosevelt? Can he give some explanation?
§ Mr. HudsonEverything we see in the Press is not necessarily correct.
§ Mr. MorrisonIs he aware that the communication, which I think he has seen, was personally signed by each member of the crew?
§ Mr. HudsonThat does not alter the fact that I have stated in the answer, that so far as I have been able to ascertain no such Order has been issued by any authority. I cannot say more than that.