asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in his review of the dog licence fee, following the report of the working party, he will bear in mind the need for an exemption for guide dogs of the blind and dogs of owners who are retirement pensioners in receipt of supplementary benefits.

The Government are considering the conclusions and recommendations of the interdepartmental working party on dogs, including those on dog licensing in Great Britain, in the light of the comments made on their report by interested organisations and members of the public.