§ Mr. Colin ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with regard to the consultations that he is conducting in respect of the European Convention for protecting pet animals, if he will set out in theOfficial Report a list of the interested organisations he is consulting, the date of writing to each and the date of each response so far received, together with an indication of when he expects those consultations to be completed or the date he has given for responses to be received.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWe have consulted more than 20 bodies about the convention and a related report by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Surgical operations is the main area in which the provisions of the convention conflict with current United Kingdom legislation and practice. That part of the consultation process has now been completed. This summer meetings were held with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the Kennel Club and the Council for Docked Breeds. We are now involved in interdepartmental consultation and my right hon. and learned Friend hopes to be in a position to reach a decision soon.