(11 years, 2 months ago)
Commons ChamberNo doubt we will hear about the dog enthusiasms of Mr Andrew Stephenson.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I congratulate the Minister on his new position. Unfortunately, I do not have a dog, so I cannot enter one into the competition.
As for dog attacks, my own mother was attacked in the run-up to local elections by a dog on private property. As the Minister will be aware, around 70% of dog attacks on postal workers occur on private property. What effect does the Minister think the extension of the criminal offence of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control on private property will have on all those whose jobs depend on visiting people’s homes?
My hon. Friend makes a good point. Volunteers in my own constituency, too, have experienced dog attacks. For the first time, this measure will give hard-working people such as postal workers and others who visit homes as part of their job the full protection of the law when they are confronted by an out-of-control dog. This Government support hard-working people—not just in words, but in deed.
(13 years, 2 months ago)
Commons Chamber5. What steps she is taking to encourage young people to take up learning and vocational training opportunities in the countryside and farming sector.
6. What steps she is taking to encourage young people to take up learning and vocational training opportunities in the countryside and farming sector.