§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 28 June, who is responsible for the police force on Anguilla; what instructions have been given them in relation to the threat to public safety posed by wild dogs; what representations have been received by the Governor seeking action on this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarOperational control of the police force in Anguilla is a responsibility reserved to Her Majesty's Government through the Governor, although day-to-day management of the force is delegated to the island's commissioner of police. Neither the Governor nor the Anguilla Minister of Agriculture, whose Ministry is responsible for the control of pests, is aware of any threat to public safety by wild dogs and no instructions in this regard have therefore been issued to the police.
Except for a conversation recently with Mr. Albert Lake, which took place in the hon. Member's presence during the latter's visit to the island in early June, no representations have been made to the Governor seeking action on this matter. However, we understand the Minister of Agriculture has received several complaints about this problem and has organised control programmes.