asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current cost of a dog licence; and what would be an appropriate current licence fee to take account of the intervening change in the value of money since the present fee was fixed in 1878.

I have been asked to reply.A licence to keep one dog costs 37½p. From price changes since 1878 when the fee was set at 7s. 6d., it is estimated that the equivalent value today would be £2·77.