asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many dog licences were purchased in Northern Ireland in each of the last two years for which records are available;(2) how many cases of sheep worrying in Northern Ireland were reported to the Royal Ulster Constabulary in each of the last two years;(3) how many dog-owners in Northern Ireland were prosecuted in respect of sheep worrying in each of the last two years;(4) how many dog-owners have been prosecuted in Northern Ireland as a result of action taken by dog wardens employed by district councils.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 15 April, at columns 58–59. The information requested on sheep worrying is not readily available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.