§ Mr. Costainasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many dog licences were issued during the year ended December, 1964.
§ Mr. MacDermotIn the financial year 1963–64 2,645,374 dog licences were issued in England and Wales and 201,865 in Scotland.
§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the dog licence was fixed at its present level; and what would the cost of a dog licence today be if it were to be of the same relative value as when the level was fixed.
§ Mr. MacDermotThe dog licence fee was fixed at 7s. 6d. in 1878. The equivalent cost today would be about 36s.
§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to increase the price of dog licences with a view to including an element of third party insurance to protect farmers, motorists, postmen and others who are suffering an increasing burden from sheep worrying and other accidents caused by dogs.
§ Mr. MacDermotI do not think that it would be right to earmark part of the revenue from dog licence fees for a particular purpose, including that suggested by the, hon. Member.