§ Mr. Galeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider seeking to amend the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 (a) to require the inspection of proposed breeding premises, by a qualified veterinary surgeon approved by the local authority, prior to the issuing of breeding licences and (b) to provide that the standards laid down under section 1(4) of the Act are mandatory.
§ Mr. HurdWe have no plans to amend the Act which already makes it clear that it is mandatory for a local authority to secure that all the requirements set out in section 1(4) are achieved. It is for the local authority to decide how to fulfil this duty. If in any particular case my hon. Friend has evidence that any of the requirements are not fulfilled, he should get in touch with the relevant local authority so that it can investigate the matter thoroughly.