Earl of Dalkeithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what instructions he has given to local authorities to increase the registration fee for holders' of fireworks licences; and by what percentage the fee is being increased in Edinburgh.
§ Mr. RossThe Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) (Scotland) Order 1968, which was laid before Parliament earlier this year, increased from 1st April, 1968 the fees paid throughout Scotland to local authorities for a variety of licences including that for the registration of premises where fireworks are stored. This fee, which is payable under Section 21 of the Explosives Act, 1875, was increased from 1s. to 12s. 6d. per annum, an increase of 1,150 per cent. The fee had remained at 1s. since 1875 and the revision followed representations from local authorities and a careful review by the Government which took into account changes in monetary values and in costs of administration.