§ 25. Sir Richard Pilkingtonasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that there is now a vaccine which is an effective prophylactic against rabies; and whether he is reducing the present six months' quarantine required for dogs and cats entering this country.
§ Miss PittMy right hon. Friend is advised that the two vaccines available for humans give a high degree of protection though neither can be guaranteed completely effective. The second part of the Question is for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
§ Sir Richard PilkingtonCan my hon. Friend hold out any hope of the period being reduced, because six months is a very long time?
§ Sir G. NicholsonWould not my hon. Friend make representations to her right hon. Friend about a special type of case—guide dogs for the blind?
§ Mr. SpeakerAnimals have nothing to do with this Minister.
§ Sir G. NicholsonI thought it appropriate to ask the Minister of Health, because the care of the blind comes under the Ministry of Health.
§ Mr. SpeakerI thought that this Question was not about blind dogs but about dogs in peril of rabies which are leading blind people. It is the other way round.
§ Sir G. NicholsonWith great respect, Mr. Speaker, I think that the welfare of the blind comes under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health, and I should have thought—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Baronet's question began by inviting Minister A to make representations to Minister B, which did not seem to be a profitable line within the rules of order.