HC Deb 11 December 1952 vol 509 cc658-9
31. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dogs were sent to the Battersea Dogs' Home last year by the police; what is the total amount allowed by the police for the maintenance for these dogs per head per week; when such an allowance was fixed originally and what increases have taken place since that date; and what steps are taken by the police to discharge their statutory obligations and ensure that the dogs sent to this home during the period of their responsibility are maintained in a healthy condition and segregated from other dogs suffering from disease.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

Sixteen thousand six hundred and twenty-three stray dogs were sent by the Metropolitan Police to the Battersea Dogs' Home in 1951. A charge of ls. 4d. which was fixed in 1934, is made by the home for each dog. The home charges in addition a maintenance fee to the owners of dogs which are claimed and retains sums obtained from the sale of unclaimed dogs. The Commissioner of Police is satisfied that dogs sent to the home are properly cared for and that any dogs found to be diseased are segregated from the others.

Mr. Freeman

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider that the amount of 1s. 4d., which I assume is 2d. a day, is satisfactory for the maintenance of a dog and medical services for it during that period?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

The home has not asked for an increase in that fee of 1s. 4d., but the expenses which may be charged to owners were increased this year with Home Office approval.

Mr. Mellish

Does the Home Secretary agree that in view of the fact that people pay dog licences the vast bulk of the money so received should be sent to homes such as this? What happens to the remainder of that money? Why is it not used for the benefit of dogs' homes?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

That is another question.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Would it not be a good thing in the interests of the good running of these homes that those dogs which are diseased, as well as stray dogs, should be painlessly destroyed and so save expense and suffering?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

That again is another question.