§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what allowance has been made towards the cost of feeding shepherds' dogs for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe responsibility for determining the rate of dog allowance payable to shepherds rests with agricultural wages boards. Under the terms of their wages orders where a shepherd is required by the conditions of employment to keep and feed a dog or dogs he is entitled to be reimbursed. The rates which have applied since 1979 are given in the following tables:
England and Wales Effective Date Weekly Allowance for first or second dog Weekly Allowance far each additional dog £ £ 20 January 1979 1.46 1.11 21 January 1980 1.68 1.28 21 January 1981 1.85 1.41 21 January 1982 2.04 1.55 20 January 1983 2.18 1.66 1 September 1983 2.29 1.74
Scotland Effective Date Weekly Allowance for each dog (up to a maximum of 3 dogs) £ 8 January 1979 1.60 17 December 1979 1.84 2 June 1980 1.98 16 February 1981 2.00 8 February 1982 2.19 7 February 1983 2.71 5 September 1983 1.64 Owing to an error in calculation, the rate set for Scotland from 7 February 1983 was too high. When considering the rate which should apply for one year from 5 September 1983 the Scottish agricultural wages board decided that this should be set at a lower level to take account of the overpayments which had been made between February and September 1983.