§ 33. Commander Sir Archibald Southbyasked the Minister of Agriculture how 846 many orders have been made by him under the provisions of the Grey Seals Protection Act, 1932, licensing the killing of grey seals in England, and upon what dates were they made; how many prosecutions for the unlawful killing of grey seals have been instituted, and with what results; and further, has he received any information regarding the unlicensed killing of grey seals since the passing of the Act by any persons or association of persons?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonNo orders have been made under the Grey Seals Protection Act, 1932, and, so far as I am aware, no prosecutions for the unlawful killing of grey seals have been instituted. As regards the last part of the question, in the year 1934, owing to the complaints of local fishermen, the Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee made arrangements for the reduction of the population of seals, and a number of seals were shot, partly during the close season for grey seals. It was at the time thought probable that some of the seals shot were grey seals, but there was no conclusive evidence on this point. I have received no other information regarding the actual or probable destruction of grey seals in the close season.