HC Deb 14 March 1957 vol 566 cc215-6W
Captain Kerby

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that, whereas a ship's cat is at liberty to come and go without let or hindrance in any port in the United Kingdom, entirely regardless as to whether it embarked at an infected, suspected or disease-free port in any part of the world, a pet cat imported into the United Kingdom is subject to statutory requirements, and formalities entailing, inter alia, six months quarantine in a kennel at a high charge per week to its owner; and what steps he will take to amend his Regulations to put an end to this anomaly.

Mr. Godber

A ship's cat like any other cat coming from any country outside the British Isles is required while on board a vessel in port to be confined in an enclosed part of the vessel, unless its landing has been authorised by a licence requiring it to be quarantined for six months on approved premises. The last part of the Question does not therefore arise.