§ 9. Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce measures to improve the control of dogs and to provide for a means to compensate persons who suffer damage from the uncontrolled actions of dogs.
§ Mr. RifkindThe Civic Government (Scotland) Bill at present before Parliament provides a discretionary power for local authorities to assist the police in rounding up stray dogs, and the Scottish Law Commission is currently reviewing the law on liability in relation to animals. My right hon. Friend will consider carefully any recommendations when the commission submits its report.
§ Mr. HendersonI acknowledge the useful step forward to which my hon. Friend has referred, which will be especially helpful in urban areas. Is he aware that there is great concern among farmers over the amount of sheep worrying that is taking place? Is he aware that a farmer in my constituency recently had a heartbreaking experience when 15 ewes were brutally savaged by dogs? Is he further aware that, although the owner of the dogs was taken to court and successfully prosecuted, my constituent received no compensation for the £2, 000 worth of damage suffered? Does my hon. Friend agree that dog owners should have insurance for third-party risks, which often arise in relation to personal injury compensation?
§ Mr. RifkindThe whole question of civil liability for injury caused by animals is being considered by the Scottish Law Commission, which hopes to publish a consultative memorandum on the subject in the spring of this year.
§ Mr. McQuarrieMy hon. Friend referred—[HON. MEMBERS: "Wag your tail, bulldog."] I am grateful for the Opposition's support. My hon. Friend referred to the Bill relating to the control of dogs that has been introduced in another place. Is he aware that under the Bill control rests with the police, who are given additional powers to deal with the matter? Before the Bill reaches this House, will my hon. Friend consider the privatisation of the control of dogs? [Interruption.] I have plenty of time, but the Opposition have not. Is my hon. Friend aware that privatisation has been most successful in England and is creating a considerable number of new small businesses?
§ Mr. RifkindIf the alternative was to take dogs into public ownership, privatisation would certainly be attractive to the Government. I undertake to consider my hon. Friend's point.