asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what level the dog licence fee would need to be raised to retain the same value in real terms, as at its inception.

Charges for keeping dogs were levied at various rates between 1796 and 1867, when the present flat rate excise duty was introduced at an initial level of 5s.—25p—per dog. In terms of purchasing power, the corresponding amount today might lie in the range of £4 to £5.