§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to stop the export of dogs and puppies to Japan in view of the recent cases in which these animals have been subjected to misery and painful deaths.
§ Mr. John MackieI have seen recent newspaper articles relating to the treatment of stray dogs in Japan.
Last year, following a question by the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Burden), we asked the Embassy in Japan to investigate allegations of ill-treatment of dogs imported from the United Kingdom. Their report made it clear that there was no evidence of these British dogs being ill-treated. It is known that the Japanese authorities have a serious problem in the control of large numbers of stray mongrels, and it seems possible that the newspaper articles refer to the measures taken in controlling these strays.
On the evidence the Government would not be justified in taking any action.