Written question asked by Michael John Foster (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 July 1998. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Thursday, 16 July 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his Answer of 15th June, Official Report, 314 c20-6W, will list the reasons for the unsatisfactory audit finding for each hunt kennel listed.

Answer: Mr. Michael J. Foster: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 1998, Official Report, columns 20-26, if he will list the reasons for the unsatisfactory audit finding for each hunt kennel listed. [46571] Mr. Rooker: It is not possible to list the individual failures found during State Veterinary Service specified risk material (SRM) audit visits during 1998 to the hunt kennels listed in my reply of 15 June as this could prejudice any legal action being considered by the local authority concerned. It is the local authority, rather than Government Departments, which has enforcement responsibility under the relevant legislation. For those visits carried out during 1997, release of the information requested has raised a number of legal issues which are being urgently considered. Once this has been completed, I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Secondary information