§ Sir J. Edenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether offshore oil rigs come within the scope of the existing range of precautionary measures designed to ensure that rabies-carrying animals do not enter this country from abroad.
§ Mr. StrangThe Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 controls the landing of rabies-susceptible animals from oil rigs, as from all other places outside Great Britain. The full penalties in the 1974 Order—unlimited fine and up to one year's imprisonment—apply to the deliberate smuggling of these animals into Great Britain from any outside source. I am assured that the authorities in the areas that have traffic with oil rigs are fully alert to their responsibilities under the rabies legislation.