HC Deb 19 November 1969 vol 791 cc1311-2
37. Mr. Doig

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have been treated in Scottish hospitals for bites from dogs during the year to the nearest convenient date.

Mr. Millan

I regret that this information is not available. Statistics are not maintained in a form that enables dog bites to be separately identified.

Mr. Doig

Will my hon. Friend ask the Secretary of State to propose in the Cabinet legislation to amend the present law so that victims of this sort of attack can provide themselves with dog repellants in self-defence?

Mr. Millan

I will put that suggestion to my right hon. Friend but I would not like to speculate on whether he will take the matter up in the Cabinet.

Mr. Russell Johnston

Since the hon. Gentleman does not have these important statistics, has he any statistics about the number of people scratched by cats.