That is very kind of you, Mr Speaker. I will save my tribute for the right time, in due course.

Unfortunately, as colleagues with rural constituencies may know, at this time of the year there is a steep rise in the number of abandoned horses as winter approaches. A couple of weeks ago I personally dealt with four abandoned ponies, including two foals barely weaned at 12 weeks. They were in a terrible condition: their feet had never been trimmed, their ribs were showing, and they had lice and mites. I had to get them rehomed.

I welcome the Government’s proposals to take a tougher line with those who abuse animals in this way, but can my right hon. Friend reassure me—gently, given the problem with her voice today—that the Government will support the police and local authorities in taking action and enforcing the law on these criminals?

That is very kind of you, Mr Speaker. I will save my tribute for the right time, in due course.

Unfortunately, as colleagues with rural constituencies may know, at this time of the year there is a steep rise in the number of abandoned horses as winter approaches. A couple of weeks ago I personally dealt with four abandoned ponies, including two foals barely weaned at 12 weeks. They were in a terrible condition: their feet had never been trimmed, their ribs were showing, and they had lice and mites. I had to get them rehomed.

I welcome the Government’s proposals to take a tougher line with those who abuse animals in this way, but can my right hon. Friend reassure me—gently, given the problem with her voice today—that the Government will support the police and local authorities in taking action and enforcing the law on these criminals?

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 2 April 2009, Official Report, columns 1457-61W, on departmental training, what service was provided by OASIS training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 2 April 2009, Official Report, columns 1457-61W, on departmental training, what service was provided by OASIS training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance his Department provided to local authorities in Northern Ireland on their investment strategies during periods of direct rule since 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance his Department provided to local authorities in Northern Ireland on their investment strategies during periods of direct rule since 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 19 February 2007, Official Report, column 565W, on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, when the copy of the presentation will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 19 February 2007, Official Report, column 565W, on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, when the copy of the presentation will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those matters on which he will answer questions following the resumption of devolved government; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those matters on which he will answer questions following the resumption of devolved government; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2007, Official Report, columns 568-9W, on the Valuation and Lands Agency, when the copy of the presentation will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2007, Official Report, columns 568-9W, on the Valuation and Lands Agency, when the copy of the presentation will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 28 March 2007, Official Report, column 1211W, on local government re-organisation, when the copy of the consultants’ report will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 28 March 2007, Official Report, column 1211W, on local government re-organisation, when the copy of the consultants’ report will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate has been made of the amount of household waste illegally dumped in Northern Ireland originating from the Republic of Ireland in (a) 2004, (b) 2005 and (c) 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate has been made of the amount of household waste illegally dumped in Northern Ireland originating from the Republic of Ireland in (a) 2004, (b) 2005 and (c) 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many reports of fly-tipping were received by the Environment and Heritage Service in (a) 2004, (b) 2005 and (c) 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many reports of fly-tipping were received by the Environment and Heritage Service in (a) 2004, (b) 2005 and (c) 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what fine may be imposed on residents who do not fill in a questionnaire sent by the Valuation and Lands Agency asking for information on the property attributes of their residence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what fine may be imposed on residents who do not fill in a questionnaire sent by the Valuation and Lands Agency asking for information on the property attributes of their residence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what co-efficient value was given to the property attribute for adjoining golf course in each of the 25 market areas in the Valuation and Lands Agency calibrated multiple regression formula used in domestic rates revaluation in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what co-efficient value was given to the property attribute for adjoining golf course in each of the 25 market areas in the Valuation and Lands Agency calibrated multiple regression formula used in domestic rates revaluation in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the timetable is for (a) local authorities to finalise their district rate for 2007-08, (b) finalising the level of the regional rate for 2007-08 and (c) the posting of domestic rates bills to local authorities; and from which day in...

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the timetable is for (a) local authorities to finalise their district rate for 2007-08, (b) finalising the level of the regional rate for 2007-08 and (c) the posting of domestic rates bills to local authorities; and from which day in...

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the capital value of a domestic property which is part of another property and has a dependent relative living in it is added to the capital value of the main domestic property when valuing the domestic property for domestic rates...

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the capital value of a domestic property which is part of another property and has a dependent relative living in it is added to the capital value of the main domestic property when valuing the domestic property for domestic rates...

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Gateway Reviews have (a) been produced and (b) are underway of projects by the Valuation and Lands Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Gateway Reviews have (a) been produced and (b) are underway of projects by the Valuation and Lands Agency.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department’s estimate is of the value of the tangible fixed asset of the Valuation and Lands Agency’s automated valuation computer database.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department’s estimate is of the value of the tangible fixed asset of the Valuation and Lands Agency’s automated valuation computer database.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2006, Official Report, column 94W, on local government reorganisation, if he will place in the Library a copy of the consultants' report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2006, Official Report, column 94W, on local government reorganisation, if he will place in the Library a copy of the consultants' report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) average standing charge and (b) average effective tax rate to be levied as part of the house price tax element is under the new system of water rates from April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) average standing charge and (b) average effective tax rate to be levied as part of the house price tax element is under the new system of water rates from April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Northern Ireland Administration is taking to provide the option of water metering for households that wish to opt in to a meter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Northern Ireland Administration is taking to provide the option of water metering for households that wish to opt in to a meter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding or support the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies have provided to (a) Antrim, (b) Belfast, (c) Lisburn, (d) Newtonabbey and (e) North Down councils for the installation of microchips in domestic rubbish bins.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding or support the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies have provided to (a) Antrim, (b) Belfast, (c) Lisburn, (d) Newtonabbey and (e) North Down councils for the installation of microchips in domestic rubbish bins.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what expenditure the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies have made relating to the use or trial of microchips in rubbish bins for domestic waste collection; and what funding has been provided to councils for this purpose.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what expenditure the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies have made relating to the use or trial of microchips in rubbish bins for domestic waste collection; and what funding has been provided to councils for this purpose.