§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
- (a) what is the present price of a game licence:
- (b) when the price of this licence was last changed;
- (c) how many game licences have been issued during the most recent year for which figures are available;
- (d) how many post offices in the United Kingdom are able to supply game licences;
- (e) what is the total gross annual revenue from such licences;
- (f) what is the total annual cost of administering the scheme; and
- (v) whether they regard the game licence as a necessary and cost-effective way of raising revenue. [HL696]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)The present price of an annual licence to kill game is £6. A period licence to kill game and a gamekeeper's licence each cost £4. A 14-day licence to kill game costs £2. A game dealer's licence costs £4. Those licences may be obtained through any post office. The price of a game licence was last changed in 1968 by a Treasury order which increased the fees set in the Game Licences Act 1860 by 100 per cent.
In the year 2001–02, the total number of game licences issued by post offices in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland was 48,385. The toal gross annual revenue from those licences was £251,884. The total annual cost of administering the scheme for 2001–02 is estimated at £261,900 plus VAT.
In addition to the licences referred to above, district councils and London borough councils issue licences to deal in game. No figures are collected centrally for the numbers of licences issued by councils. We understand that arrangements and charges vary.
Central government do not benefit from the revenue from game licences. The income is received by district councils and London borough councils, in which the duty to issue licences is vested. We acknowledge that the game licensing system is complex and derives from 19th century legislation. The Government are aware of concerns over the operation of the game licensing regime.