§ Mr. Corfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what, to the latest convenient date, has been the cost of operating the licensing and inspection scheme for riding establishments under the Riding Establishments Act, 1954; what has been the revenue obtained from the licences during the corresponding period; and what is the estimated effect of the recent increase in licence fees from 10s. to £10 per annum.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesUnder the Riding Establishments Act, 1964, local authorities are responsible for licensing riding establishments. No information is available centrally about the total cost involved. The licence fee was raised to £10,68W with effect from 1st April, 1968, in the light of representations received from local authorities that the 10s. fee was inadequate in relation to the expenditure, including the cost of veterinary reports, incurred in administering the licensing system.