§ MR. J. W. CROMBIE (Kincardineshire)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Alexander Murray, who occupies the croft of Bogside, Drumlithie, Kincardineshire, and lets the farm as pasture for some40 or 50 sheep, which he has to look after, has this year been refused an exemption from dog licence; and whether, seeing that the exemption has been granted for two years under similar circumstances, he will explain on what ground it is now refused?
§ MR. HANBURYI understand that Mr. Murray is a tailor who is tenant of about eight acres of pasture. He owns no stock himself, but, lets the pasture for sheep during the summer and autumn months. The field is well fenced, and the sheep are brought to it, and removed, when necessary, by the owners themselves. Mr. Murray was found to be in possession of a dog on the 3rd of March, and, as he declined to take out a licence, the Board of Inland Revenue considered that the case was one in which proceedings should be taken. It is true that an exemption was granted to Mr. Murray for the past year, but, now that the facts of the case are fully before the Board, they do not feel justified in continuing it.