| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Quarantine
Mr. Pickthall: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quarantine procedures were applied to the dog owned by Irene Sanders and rescued by British Airways on 23 November 1995; and how many representations he has received on this matter. [28145]
Mrs. Browning [holding answer 7 May 1996]: I have received two letters concerning the news item on the independent television 10pm news on 23 November 1995 which showed a dog apparently avoiding the usual quarantine regulations on arrival at Heathrow. In responding to them I have explained that the filming of the meeting of the dog, its owner and the pilot of the aeroplane it arrived on took place after the dog had completed a full six months' quarantine in this country.
Mr. Pickthall: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the representations received by his Department on the subject of quarantine in the last 12 months, indicating those supportive of the present system and those supporting change along the lines proposed by the Agriculture Committee in the fifth report of Session 1993-94 (HC 347). [28121]
Mrs. Browning [holding answer 7 May 1996]: It would not be possible to provide this information in the manner requested without incurring disproportionate costs. However, from 1 January 1995 to 30 April 1996, my Department received 404 letters passed on by hon. Members from their constituents on the subject of quarantine of rabies-susceptible mammals. Of these, 349 supported change along the lines proposed by the Agriculture Committee, 42 supported the present system and 13 were on other quarantine matters.
A further 1,074 letters on the future of quarantine were received over the period, a large majority seeking change to the current system. Eight petitions supporting change were handed in.
Senior officials have twice met representatives from the organisation Passport for Pets.
4 Jul 1996 : Column: 527
Mr. Byers:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce an investigation procedure to pursue complaints made by owners of animals held in quarantine about the conditions in which their animals are being held. [28929]
Mrs. Browning
[holding answer 14 May 1996]: There are already a number of procedures for dealing with complaints from owners of animals kept in quarantine premises. My officials investigate all complaints concerned with breaches of the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974, which covers security and the prevention of the spread of rabies. Complaints about the conditions in which the animals are kept can be referred to the veterinary superintendent appointed to the quarantine premises. Responsibility for investigating problems relating to the contract between the quarantine premises and owners of animals kept there fall to the local trading standards department of the local authority.
Mr. Byers:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are taken by his Department to inspect the conditions dogs are kept in at quarantine kennels. [28932]
Mrs. Browning
[holding answer 14 May 1996]: It is a requirement under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 that all quarantine premises are under the control of a veterinary superintendent, appointed by agriculture Departments. The conditions of appointment are set out in the form ID51. I have placed a copy of this form in the Library of the House. These conditions state that the veterinary superintendent is responsible for the safe custody and strict isolation of each animal throughout its period of quarantine, and for ensuring that the standard requirements set out on form ID50 are complied with. He/she or his/her deputy, similarly appointed by my Department, must visit the premises daily from Monday to Saturday each week, and on Sundays if necessary. He/she must visually inspect all animals on at least two of these visits each week. He/she must also undertake a further individual examination of any animal which concerns him/her following inspection, or where he/she requested to do so by the kennel management or its owner.
Dr. David Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations he has received from representatives of the armed forces concerning the proposed married quarters sale; [35612]
Mr. Arbuthnot:
Our proposals have been developed in full consultations with the chiefs of staff. The terms of the sale have been carefully designed to safeguard the
4 Jul 1996 : Column: 528
interests of, and produce significant benefits for, the services and service families. The chiefs of staff share the Government's view that we now have the right basis for real improvements in service housing, which are long overdue.
Dr. Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alternative proposals to his Department's scheme for the married quarters sale he has evaluated. [35613]
Mr. Arbuthnot:
In recent years, we have considered several different approached to achieving our objective of improving the quality and management of service housing. These included different forms of sale, and retaining ownership. We believe that the proposals we have now put to bidders for the sale of the married quarters estate are the right answer, subject to reaching agreement on terms which satisfy the interests of the services and on a price which properly reflects the public interest.
Dr. Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning Mr. David Hart's involvement in his Department's married quarters sale.[35615]
Mr. Arbuthnot:
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minster of State for the Armed Forces on 22 March 1995, Official Report, column 218.
Mr. Clifton-Brown:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the investment over the last five years in the vehicle depots at Ashchurch and Ludgershall. [3314]
Mr. Soames
[pursuant to his reply, 24 June 1996, c. 37]: I understand that there was an error in the answer sent by the chief executive for the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write again with the correct information.
Letter from Kevin Goad to Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, dated 4 July 1996:
4 Jul 1996 : Column: 529
(2) what representations he has received from the chiefs of staff concerning his Department's proposed married quarters sale. [35614]
I very much regret that the information I gave recently in my reply of 24 June 96 to your question concerning the investment in the vehicle depots at Ashchurch and Ludgershall (PQ Ref: 1597H) was, in part, incorrect
It has come to my notice that there has been a basic calculation error involving the transcription of two columns of figures. This error concerns the figures shown against vehicle depot Ludgershall.
In my reply the figures shown for Ashchurch were correct, but the cost given for Ludgershall was in fact the cumulative total for both sites.
The corrected figures for Ludgershall are:-
Financial year
1991-92: £253,766
1992-93: £432,556
1993-94: £709,624
1994-95: £336,040
1995-96: £389,833
I hope this regrettable error has not caused too much inconvenience. I can only ask you, again, to please accept my sincere apologies.
Levene Report
Ms Emma Nicholson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the Levene report on the privatisation of public sector research establishments; and if he will make it his policy to take an immediate decision on the implementation of its recommendations. [35015]
4 Jul 1996 : Column: 530
Mr. Roger Freeman: I have been asked to reply. Sir Peter Levene has been invited to provide further advice on certain practical questions which emerged from Ministerial consideration of the first tranche of reviews of public sector research establishments. He has been asked to make an early report to Ministers. Decisions on the establishments will be announced as soon as possible. They will be supported by explanatory memoranda which will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.