§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests he has carried out to ascertain the suitability of .22 ammunition for use in the official cull of seals at Scroby Sands and elsewhere; and if he will consult with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare with a view to using a method of killing less likely to cause wounding and unnecessary suffering to the animals concerned.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesBefore authorising the Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee's recent cull I consulted the Natural Environment Research Council whose Seals Research Unit advised that, provided high velocity ammunition of the "Hornet" type was used, .22 rifles were suitable for killing the seals.
My officials have discussed with the "Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare the method of killing used in the cull. In the light of this further information is being assembled and will be sent to them as soon as possible.
§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what type of ammunition was used in the killing of seals in the Wash on Sunday 30th June, 1968; how many seals were killed and wounded, respectively; and what steps he proposes to take to avoid unnecessary suffering to the animals.
§ Mr. John MackieThere are no powers for regulating the killing of seals (other than grey seals during the breeding season) and I have no details of the numbers of seals killed or wounded, or of the ammunition used, in the Wash on 30th June.