asked to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department has taken and is taking in pursuance of his responsibilities in respect of the French yacht "Folie" from Cherbourg, owned by a Parisian, which has just visited Gosport, Lyming- ton,Yarmouth, Isle of Wight and Bembridge, Isle of Wight within the past fortnight with an unquarantined dog on board which was allowed ashore in Bembridge on 3rd August against the instructions of the harbour authorities.
This was a local authority responsibility and the local police took such action as they considered appropriate to the circumstances of the case.I understand that the dog was ashore on the quayside at Bembridge Harbour only very briefly, that it made no contact with other animals or humans and that it was taken back on board immediately by its owner. The owner was ordered to secure the dog on board and leave harbour at the earliest possible opportunity, which he apparently did.We shall continue to impress on all concerned the need for constant vigilance.