HL Deb 09 June 1975 vol 361 cc4-6

2.43 p.m.

Lord DE CLIFFORD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the continuing spread of rabies in Europe, they will institute a Press and television campaign to warn holidaymakers of the danger of attempting to smuggle animals into this country and the penalties such attempts will entail.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, since the introduction in February of the higher penalties for smuggling animals, there has been a sustained campaign through the Press, radio and television stressing the dangers of rabies and the more severe penalties for offences against the regulations. Press and broadcasting coverage has been wide, both nationally and locally. In addition to coverage by the media, complementary publicity measures have been taken through Government posters and leaflets. Other measures will be taken as necessary to maintain the momentum of the campaign.

Lord DE CLIFFORD

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, may I ask whether he is aware that there have been reports in the Press of a French couple with a dog coming for a holiday to Ermington in Devon? There have also been reports in the Press of dogs coming off Dutch yachts in the harbour at Fowey. Would it be possible for the Government to extend their publicity campaign to the coastal ports on the Continent?

Lord STRABOLGI

Yes, my Lords; certainly. It is the Government's policy that the publicity campaign should be directed mainly at key sectors of the public who travel and at officials who are connected with the travel trade. Multi-language posters in 13 different languages, advising travellers of the quarantine rules and the very serious penalties for breaches of them, are on widespread display at ports, airports and other points of entry, as well as on cross-Channel and North Sea ferries and at nearby foreign exits.

Lord NUGENT of GUILDFORD

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that his information about the measures which the Government are taking is very welcome? Is he aware that there is a continuous and gradual spread of this appalling disease in wild animals Westwards across Europe; that therefore the danger of this disease crossing the Channel into England is ever-growing and that our only protection is the effectiveness of the quarantine regulations? Will he therefore allow me to say "more power to the Government's elbow", because everything that can be done should be done to make the public aware of the danger of this virus coming into the country.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, and the answer to him is, Yes, the Government take this matter very seriously and are well aware of the great importance of it.

Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONE

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell me this?—I ought to know the answer. Is there power to destroy animals brought in across the customs regulations, and would it not be an effective deterrent if this were widely known?

Lord STRABOLGI

Yes, my Lords, we certainly have that power. Under the new Order the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine and up to one year's imprisonment, and, of course, the animal can be destroyed as well.

Lord BRUCE of DONINGTON

My Lords, would my noble friend consider making representations to Governments on the Continent with a view to securing the co-operation of the customs people on the other side of the Channel, thereby seeking our own protection?

Lord STRABOLGI

Yes, my Lords, this is already done. The EEC implications for our rabies policy are none. The United Kingdom is free to take whatever action is necessary to safeguard her rabies-free position. Indeed, no current EEC regulations affect this policy.

Baroness WOOTTON of ABINGER

My Lords, can my noble friend say whether the power to destroy illegally imported animals has been exercised, and, if so, how often? Would that not be far and away the greatest deterrent?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I cannot answer that question in detail without notice. I think one really has to consider every case on its merits. Sometimes the animal is brought in through ignorance, or ignorance is pleaded. At other times it is in direct contravention of the regulations. I think one has to leave this to the courts.

Earl FERRERS

My Lords, while we all applaud the new regulations which have come into effect, may I ask whether the noble Lord has any evidence that these regulations have yet curtailed the entry of these animals? Has he any statistical evidence to show that there are fewer instances of the importation of rabid animals than before?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, over 200 instances occurred in 1974 and this number was approximately the same as in 1973; this is with regard to last year. The majority of these were unlicensed animals openly declared by their owners rather than deliberate smuggling attempts. It is a little too early to say what is the position regarding this year, though I may say that a recent court case resulted in a fine of £200.