§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the average fine per offence for those found guilty of illegal importation of animals into the United Kingdom in each year since 1978;
(2) how many convictions there have been for the illegal importation of animals into the United Kingdom in each year since 1978.
§ Mr. SoamesI have been asked to reply.
The information readily available for the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland, is given in the table. The figures reflect all prosecutions taken under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974, the Importation of Equine Animals Order 1979, and the Importation of Animals Order 1977 which have been notified to this Department.
Year Number of prosecutions Maximum fine (£) 1978 80 1,000 1979 74 1,000 1980 63 1,000 1981 74 700 1982 50 1,000 1983 71 1,000 1984 27 1,000 1985 77 1,500 1986 75 1,200 1987 43 1,000 1988 57 1,500 1989 31 1,600 1990 45 1,000 1991 66 2,000 1992 47 1,250 More detailed information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.