asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received representations from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals about controls on the sale of puppies.

We received a number of representations last year about the sale of puppies, but none recently from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals or from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Pet Animals Act 1951 provides for controls over the sale of pets, including puppies, from pet shops, and the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 provides for the licensing of establishments where dogs are bred for sale.