asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now urgently review the system of dog licensing to take into consideration the type and size of dog, accommodation and neighbourhood, as well as type of family, designed to include an element of insurance against unforeseen circumstances.

The system of dog licensing is currently being reviewed by a working party which I set up last year. Among the matters being considered by the working party are the merits of a differential licensing scheme and the need for some form of third party insurance.