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Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge

The Chairman, British Airways

Waterside, PO BOX 365

UB7 0GB 8 December 2000

I am sorry that you have not had time to respond to my letter of 17 October.

You will be aware of the item on last night's WATCHDOG programme concerning the considerable difficulties caused by BA's continuing non-participation in the Pet Travel Scheme.

I understand from our many overseas members that you are still using the excuse that there are too many failures of paperwork on incoming pets.

I would like to reiterate that these failures, which are diminishing, are not the responsibility of the airline. Your task is simply to transport the animals and deposit them in the Cargo Handling area at Heathrow Airport. Responsibility then passes to the owner and checkers in the Pet Reception Centre. If a pet is found to have faulty papers the owner must then face up to Quarantine or can re-export the pet. This argument is specious.

I would be very grateful if you could tell me why such a large and prestigious airline cannot get its act together in the way British Midlands and Lufthansa have managed without any real difficulty.

If you need someone to organise this simple task, please let me know. I have several volunteers.

Yours sincerely

June Hamilton

Volunteer Chairman

Copy to: RL Eddington, Chief Executive