§ Mr. MaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to publish the report of the Scottish working party on dogs; and what action he intends to take on the recommendations made in that report.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart[holding answer 24 Janaury 1992]My right hon. Friend does not plan to publish the report of the Scottish working group on dogs.
The Government have already tackled a number of the issues raised by the group in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and the Breeding of Dogs Act 1991. On 1 April 1992 we intend to introduce regulations under sections 149–151 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to deal with the problems associated with stray dogs and the enforcement of the existing collar and tag requirements. Changes recommended by the group to the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and the introduction of dog byelaws are currently under consideration.