§ 16. Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received in the last month concerning the registration of dogs.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe have received a large number of representations on this matter. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Home Secretary announced on 14 June a package of measures to deal with the problems caused by irresponsible dog ownership—dog attacks, straying and fouling. Registration is not the answer to these problems.
§ 69. Mr. AshtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the estimated cost of a compulsory dog registration scheme.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe have made no such estimate. A recent report by the London school of economics on behalf of the RSPCA estimates that the cost of administering and keeping up to date a national dog registration scheme would be about £20 million annually. We do not believe that dog registration addresses the real problems caused by dogs.