HC Deb 03 March 1960 vol 618 cc157-8W
Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the fees charged by his Department in respect of imported animals which have to be detained, examined and tested under the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950, are sufficient to meet the cost of this work.

Mr. Hare

It has been brought to my notice that my Department has never carried out its obligation under the Act to charge such fees as are sufficient to meet the cost of the detention, examination and testing of certain imported animals. I am afraid that to put matters right the fees will have to be substantially increased. Having consulted the interests principally affected, I am satisfied that this should be done as from the earliest convenient date, which is 1st April.