§ Mr. Fairbairnasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to make an order under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 exempting the arctic fox from the licence control imposed by the Act; and, if so, whether local authorities will be able to refrain from requiring the licensing of fox farms until the order is laid.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesYes. I intend to lay the necessary order before Parliament 321W early next Session. At present the Act requires the keeper of an arctic fox to obtain a licence from the local authority. I have no doubt that, in dealing with any application for such a licence, the local authority will bear the proposed exemption in mind.