§ Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will seek powers to prohibit the transfer of dog licences by commercial establishments such as breeders and experimental premises to another dog when the one originally licensed leaves the premises; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will seek powers to increase the rights of entry of local authority officers to research premises to check the number of dog licences held against the number of dogs kept on the premises; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorLicensing of dogs in commercial establishments such as those of breeders or research laboratories is not a matter which falls within my right hon. and learned Friend's departmental responsibility. The whole question of dog licensing is currently under consideration by the Government in the light of the report of the Public Accounts Committee.