§ Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of the recent cull of seals on the Farne Islands; to whom the payments were made; and what are the future plans of his Department in regard to the seals on the Fame Islands.
§ Mr. PeartFinal figures are not available but the estimated net cost, excluding salaries and travelling expenses of the Ministry officials, after taking into account the payments due from the firm which collected the carcases, is of the order of £1,200.
The payments will be made to the B.E.A. for the hire of a helicopter and to a local boatman.
238WWith regard to the last part of the Question I have nothing to add to my reply of 26th November to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, West (Mr. Popplewell).