§ Miss Colmanasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that large numbers of hungry dogs, which belonged to British Service personnel, have been observed in Palestine since the withdrawal of this personnel; how many requests from soldiers to take their dogs with them were made; and how many refused.
§ Mr. ShinwellUntil this month soldiers in Palestine granted licences by the60W Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries have been allowed to bring dogs home in troopships. Owing to lack of suitable kennel accommodation and for hygienic reasons, this concession has now been withdrawn, and soldiers are not allowed to bring dogs with them in troopships. I understand that 45 applications for licences from military personnel in Palestine have been received and granted since last October. I have no information as to how many requests have been refused since 1st June.