§ Mr. David Priceasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations of the Waterhouse Report on Rabies (Cmnd. Paper No. 4696) that provision shall be made to enable the Waterguard Office to require the master of a vessel in a British port to furnish a bond guaranteeing the security of any animal on board during the vessel's stay at the port (paragraph 8.8); and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonHer Majesty's Customs and Excise have been advised that existing legislation gives no power to require the bonds envisaged in the recommendation. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food would be responsible for initiating any legislation for this purpose. Such a requirement would, however, be cumbersome and costly in manpower to apply, without offering any reinforcement of the rabies controls that could not more effectively be provided by prosecution for the illegal landing of animals.