§ Q1. Mr. Adleyasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the coordination between the Home Office, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Treasury and the Department of Health and Social Security over the control of entry of animals into the United Kingdom in contravention of the animal quarantine regulations; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. James Callaghan)Yes. I understand that the anti-rabies defences are judged so far to have been successful, but the Government are ready to strengthen them if this is found necessary.
§ Mr. AdleyIs the Prime Minister aware that the overwhelming majority of cases in England and Wales that come before the courts are heard by magistrates' courts, and that those courts do not have the power to imprison people? As the maximum fine of £400 represents a chance considered worth taking, especially by foreigners paying in devalued pounds, will the right hon. Gentleman accept the suggestion for another addition to his Queen's Speech, namely, a short enabling Bill to give magistrates the power to imprison people who commit this selfish crime?
§ The Prime MinisterI know that the hon. Gentleman's constituency is in the forefront on this matter. If he does not mind my saying so, I think that he is performing a public service by keeping this matter in front of the House from time to time by means of his Questions.
§ Mr. MartenMake him a PPS.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, thank you. There are far more people of quality behind me for that purpose. It is important that we should continually bring these matters to the attention of people in this country and overseas. As for the hon. Gentleman's specific suggestions, he may or may not have seen the consultation paper issued on 11th October. In addition to that, allow me to inform the House that the Home Office has just completed a review of penalties and matters of that sort. The hon. Gentleman would not expect me to anticipate the Queen's Speech, but that matter will come under 1110 consideration by the Government in due course. As for imprisonment and the other suggestions that have been made, they can all be taken into account in any conclusions finally reached.
§ Mr. PowellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that apart from rabies there is the gross disparity between the Irish and British green pounds? At present that is one of the major causes of entry of animals into this country in breach of the regulations and endangering animal health. A statement on this subject is urgently awaited in Northern Ireland.
§ The Prime MinisterI was under the impression that one of the consequences of the green pound was that animals that might have been slaughtered in Northern Ireland were being sent to the South. I hope that they are not getting any contamination from us. Maybe there is a two-way traffic with some gentlemen who are very concerned with private enterprise and who, having drawn the money in the South, find it not a bad idea to send it back to the North. I think that this matter would be better directed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.