§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many dog licences were issued in East Flintshire in 1964 and 1969, respectively.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThis information is not available; but in the County of Flintshire, the numbers of dogs licensed in the financial years 1964–65 and 1969–70 were 11,213 and 12,079 respectively.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whose duty it is to enforce the law on the issuing and maintenance of dog licences; what action is taken to ensure that all dogs are licensed and owners pay the fee; when checks are made and in what way they are carried out; and, after deducting the cost of the licence reminders, staff and other costs involved, how much revenue is left.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartCounties and County Boroughs are the authorities responsible for the issue of dog licences and for enforcing the provisions of the Dog Licences Act 1959. I have no information about the enforcement methods they adopt, but I understand that there are approximately 3,000 successful prosecutions a year for evasion. Fees received by Post Offices issuing licences on behalf of local authorities in England and Wales yield about £1,125,000 a year which is paid gross to them. The administrative costs, excluding those borne by the authorities for reminders etc., are46W currently running at nearly £340,000 a year and are paid to the Post Office out of central government funds. These arrangements are currently being reviewed.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to provide free licences for the dogs who are the constant companions of severely disabled people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartNo. Working dogs to guide the blind are exempt. A wider exemption to include dogs kept solely as pets would be open to abuse and expensive to administer.