§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by the departmental working party on its review of legislation affecting dogs; and, in particular, on the matter of licensing arrangements.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI have been asked to reply.
An interdepartmental working party under the chairmanship of an official from my Department has been established with the following terms of reference:
To examine the law, custom and prac-lics relating to the control of dogs 280W including licensing arrangements and the problem of strays and to make recommendations.The working party includes police and local authority representatives. A wide-ranging examination of this kind is expected to take not less than 12 months.