§ Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture what changes he proposes to make in the quarantine regulations in the light of modern scientific development.
Mr. T. WilliamsI understand that the regulations to which the hon. Member refers are those relating to the importation of dogs. I am advised that the incubation period of rabies in canines and felines may be as long as six months and that there is no known way of shortening the period of incubation or of detecting the disease during its pre-clinical stage. I cannot, therefore, agree to any alteration in the quarantine regulations that apply to imported dogs.