§ Dame Janet FookesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received seeking an investigation into the prevalence of healthy young greyhounds being put down when no longer required for racing purposes;
(2) if he will introduce legislation to ban the export of greyhounds to countries which cannot guarantee their well-being.
§ Mrs. RumboldWe have not received any representations about the destruction of young racing greyhounds. The humane killing of animals is not against the law. The Home Office is responsible for the law on domestic animals in England and Wales, but not for the law on the sale or export of animals to EC countries or beyond.
§ Dame Janet FookesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to require the greyhound racing organisations to set aside increased sums of money for the welfare of retired greyhounds.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe Government believe that the welfare of retired greyhounds is ultimately the responsibility of the owners themselves. However, we are now considering the recent report of the Home Affairs Committee on the financing of greyhound racing, which included a recommendation on greyhound welfare, and will publish our response in due course.