§ Lord Lucasasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make representations to the management of Eurostar to end their refusal to allow passengers to be accompanied by their dogs or cats on the grounds that trains are not designed to carry animals. [HL386]
§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)The Government have no plans at present to make further representations to the Eurostar Group on this issue. Representations made last year by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions led to an agreement by Eurostar to consider carrying recognised assistance dogs such as guide dogs for the blind. They are still considering their position but are in no doubt as to the Government's desire to see assistance dogs allowed on Eurostar trains. The decision whether or not to carry animals is one for the Eurostar Group (Eurostar UK Ltd, SNCF and SNCB) to make collectively. Euro tunnel allows pets to travel with their owners in private cars on its passenger shuttle services through the Channel Tunnel.