HC Deb 05 November 1969 vol 790 cc1002-4
25. Sir Richard Glyn

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to vaccinate with Flurry vaccine the dogs in house arrest in Camberley and also those now in quarantine kennels.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

No, Sir. No vaccine currently used in the field will give absolute protection. Vaccine has a very real place in the control of rabies where the disease is endemic, but it is not appropriate for this country where the disease is not endemic.

Sir Richard Glyn

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is the third occasion on which a dog in Britain has developed rabies after undergoing six months' quarantine? Is he aware that all these cases could have been prevented if the dogs had been suitably vaccinated with a modern vaccine at the beginning of the quarantine period? If he is not willing to consider vaccine in ordinary circumstances, will he do so at least for dogs which are placed in quarantine? To prevent further outbreaks and allay public anxiety, will he institute a public inquiry into the circumstances of the present outbreak and take evidence as to the effect of quarantine over long periods, and the good effect of vaccination in other countries?

Mr. Hughes

The hon. Gentleman must be aware that I have already instituted an inquiry into the cause of the outbreak. It is true that our quarantine kennels often contain a fair proportion of dogs which have been vaccinated. It is also true that as recently as last year a dog which had twice been vaccinated against rabies died of the disease in one of our quarantine kennels. The vaccine in which I know the hon. Gentleman is interested unquestionably has a real place in the control of rabies where the disease is endemic, and experience suggests that it can give a high measure of immunity. There is no experience of its use in a non-endemic situation.

Mr. Onslow

Is the Minister aware that most of the dogs concerned are owned by Service officers who are likely to be posted from Camberley in two or three months' time? Is there any assistance which his Department can give owners in maintaining quarantine arrangements for their dogs when they have to move away?

Mr. Hughes

I regret the inconvenience which has been caused to the owners of the dogs, and I have great sympathy. I am prepared to consider what can be done to help. If the hon. Gentleman has any suggestion, I will be glad to consider it.

26. Sir Richard Glyn

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost of vaccinating with Flurry vaccine the dogs now in house arrest in Camberley and also those now in quarantine kennels.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

None, Sir. Cost is not a factor that would influence a decision whether to vaccinate.

Sir Richard Glyn

Is the Minister aware that the efficient Flurry vaccine, which could not have been used in the case of the dog which was vaccinated twice and subsequently died, is extremely inexpensive to administer?

Mr. Hughes

As I have indicated before, the Flurry vaccine, as a live vaccine, is open to the possible objection that it might lead to symptom-less carriers. Hence, its use cannot be recommended in a rabies-free area. I have considered this carefully with my advisers and, on the weight of available evidence, this is the conclusion which we have reached.

Mr. Godber

Can the Minister give any information as to when we may expect the results of the inquiry, and will he be publishing them?

Mr. Hughes

The report of the inquiry should be available within a reasonably short time, possibly two or three weeks. If the right hon. Gentleman and the House agree that this would be acceptable I will place copies in the Library.

Sir Richard Glyn

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the replies. I give notice that I shall try to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

32. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he has sent to the request of the Medical Practitioners Union and the Veterinarians Union for a committee of inquiry to review the question of the control of diseases, including rabies, which can be spread from animals to man; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

I have not received a request from either union.

Mr. Dalyell

Ought we not then to establish some definite criteria on which intervention, as at Camberley, can be based?

Mr. Hughes

I think the hon. Gentleman is referring to a message which he believes I received from the unions in question. As I said, I have received no message from them and no request to institute any sort of inquiry. Obviously, if I receive a request from the unions I shall take it into account very carefully.