§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what would be the charge for an annual dog licence on the basis of updating the fee originally set in 1878 to take account of the changes in the cost of living.
§ Mr. StrangIn 1878 the dog licence fee was raised to 7s 6d., that is, the equivalent of the present fee of 37½ pence. Since then, the whole pattern of household expenditure has changed so completely that it is difficult to arrive at a realistic comparison between the cost of living today and that prevailing nearly a century ago. With that reservation, it is estimated that the fee would need to be raised at least tenfold to bring it into line with the cost of living today. This updated estimate reflects a more appropriate basis for comparison than was adopted for purposes of the related reply given to the hon. Member on 19th March 1975.—[Vol. 889, c.98.]