§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will add the otter to Schedule 1 of the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975.
§ Mr. Marks :The Secretary of State has laid an order to add the otter to Schedule 1 to the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975, in respect of England and Wales. Following 14W a representation to this effect from the Nature Conservancy Council in July the Secretary of State indicated that he was disposed to make an order, and the necessary consultations were undertaken. These have now been completed and the Secretary of State is satisfied that in the interests of the proper conservation of the otter the species should be added to the schedule in respect of England and Wales.
The order was laid on Tuesday, 1st November 1977 and is framed to take effect from 1st January 1978.