§ 38. Mr. Brockwayasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what reply he has made to the request of the Slough Borough Council for authority to require that dogs shall be kept on leads in the streets of the borough in order to reduce road accidents.
§ Mr. NugentThe Slough Borough Council has not yet submitted any order to my right hon. Friend for confirmation, but there have been some preliminary discussions with it.
§ Mr. BrockwayMay I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that in the crowded conditions of the High Street, to which I have previously referred, accidents caused by stray dogs are quite frequent? While it would be unreasonable to have them on leash in all the back streets and estates, may I ask whether my hon. Friend will look carefully at the proposal that dogs should be on leashes at least in the main roads?
§ Mr. NugentWe shall certainly examine with great care proposals for individual streets, but not for covering whole areas.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussIn discussions on the Road Traffic Act, 1956, when this matter came before us last year, the Ministry seemed to favour the idea of keeping dogs on leashes in areas where they were likely to cause accidents. Will the hon. Gentleman consider any application with sympathy?
§ Mr. NugentWe shall consider it with sympathy, from both points of view. There is no general agreement in Slough about the extent of the proposals, but 1110 we will certainly examine proposals with care and see whether we can reach the right balance.