§ Mr. O'SHEEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the number of dogs licensed in the United Kingdom; what estimate he has formed as to the number of dogs unlicensed, and also what estimate he has formed as to the number of tons of food required to feed all these dogs annually; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
Captain BATHURSTI understand that the number of dogs licensed in the United Kingdom is approximately 2,500,000. I am unable to form an estimate of the number of unlicensed dogs, or as to the number of tons of food required to feed all these dogs annually. The number of fox-hounds has been and is being considerably reduced; but it is not proposed at present to place any restriction on the keeping of dogs.