all increase next month after MPs approved draft regulations to amend Government fees.

From April, dog licences will cost $20 for a neutered animal and $50 for other dogs and bitches.

A firearms licence will cost $15 while taking a car driving test will go up to $33.

Other licences affected by the new regulations include marriage certificates, registering a birth or death and getting a passport.

Speaking in the House of Assembly last night, Finance Minister Grant Gibbons said the increases should net the Government an extra $1.2 million dollars in the next financial year.

"The last time these things were looked at was in 1996,'' he said. "On average we are talking about a 4.5 percent increase which is in line with inflation over the two year period.

"It's important that we don't raise these out of line, but keep the revenue in line with inflation.'' Companies will also have to pay out more for trade marks and service marks, with increases again at inflationary levels.

GOVERNMENT GVT