§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has any plans to control the sale to the general public of dogs trained to attack and bite human beings with or without command;
(2) if he will establish a review committee to bring forward recommendations on the stricter control of dogs.
§ Mr. HurdWe are looking closely at the suggestions which have been made for further legislation about dangerous dogs. I do not think there is a need for a review committee.
§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has had discussions with chief758W officers of police concerning the increasing use of dogs to protect premises subject to police raids; and if he has any plans to introduce measures to assist police in overcoming this problem.
§ Mr. HurdI have had no discussions with chief officers of police about this matter. Section I of the Guard Dogs Act 1975 makes it an offence to use a guard dog at any premises unless a handler, who is capable of controlling the dog, is present on the premises and the dog is under his control at all times, except while another handler has control over the dog or while the dog is secured so that it is not at liberty to go freely about the premises.
I have no plans to introduce further measures to control guard dogs.