§ 13. Sir M. Stoddart-Scottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many dogs are licensed in the United Kingdom; what income he receives from their licences; and what is the cost of collecting this tax.
§ Mr. GreenIn 1962–63, 2,598,488 dogs were licensed in England and Wales and 194,418 in Scotland. In Northern Ireland dog licensing is the responsibility of the Government of Northern Ireland. Only the yield of licences issued in Scotland is paid into the Exchequer: in 1962–63 this yield was £72,855. To produce figures showing the cost of collecting dog licences would require a disproportionate amount of work.
§ Sir M. Stoddart-ScottWill my hon. Friend ask his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when he prepares his Budget, he will look at this licensing tax and whether he will deal with it in the same way as he dealt with licensing for the sale of tobacco in his last Budget?