§ 12. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will amend the quarantine Regulations so that, in cases where two or more dogs, owned by one person are brought to this country from abroad, such animals may be housed together during their six months' quarantine and not kept in separate quarters, as at present, thereby minimising the suffering caused to the dogs concerned by separation from their owner.
§ Mr. NugentI regret that we could not make this amendment because it would weaken the present safeguards. If two or more imported dogs were permitted to share quarters in quarantine, it would be much more difficult than it now is to ensure that other dogs in the establishment were segregated at all times.
§ 13. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many animals of each variety were placed in quarantine for which his Department is responsible in each port in the United Kingdom and at London Airport during 1954; what charges are made per week for each animal; what additional costs fall on the Exchequer; and what is the total cost of maintaining and enforcing the quarantine regulations in this country per annum.
§ Mr. NugentI assume the hon. Member has in mind quarantine for imported animals under the Diseases of Animals Act. Suitable premises in private ownership are approved for this purpose by my Department. The only animals quarantined at ports or airports in 1954 were eight reindeer at Glasgow. In addition, 1,888 dogs, 193 cats, 146 other canines, felines, and zoological specimens, and two goats, were detained in quarantine at places other than ports. The cost of keeping animals in quarantine falls on their owners. The charges are a matter for settlement between the parties. The estimated cost to the Exchequer of administering the quarantine Regulations is about £5,000 per annum.