§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to allow local authorities to determine byelaws banning dogs from public places without reference to her Department; and if she will make a statement. [9669]
§ Mr. MeacherLocal authorities have to apply to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who determines byelaws on the grounds of whether they are reasonable, both to members of the public and to dog owners. A byelaw is a local law, which is made by a statutory body, such as a local authority, under an enabling power established by Act of Parliament. Byelaws create criminal offences and cannot come into effect unless they have been confirmed by a Secretary of State. There are no plans to change this policy.