Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost of a licence for a bull in Northern Ireland; what is the amount collected in each of the last three years; what was the deficit in the same period, when the licence for bulls was introduced; what 277W was the cost then; when the price was last raised; and how many licensed bulls there are in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe cost of a licence for a bull in Northern Ireland has been £2 since 1968. The amounts collected in fees and the deficit on the scheme in each of the last three years are as follows:
Financial Year Fees Deficit £ £ 1973–74 … 6,618 10,030 1974–75 … 5,130 14,082 1975–76 … 5,790 21,345* * Estimated. When licensing was first introduced in 1922 the cost was 5s (25p). The number of licensed bulls in Northern Ireland in December 1975 was 8,800.