§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will bring forward proposals to provide similar protection for the otter in Scotland as in England and Wales.
§ Mr. RifkindThe current legislation under which protection may be afforded to otters and other wild creatures is the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975, and my right hon. Friend can add an animal to the schedule of endangered species only on a specific recommendation by the Nature Conservancy Council. No such recommendation has been made to my right hon. Friend in respect of otters, and so he cannot at present extend to those creatures in Scotland the protection enjoyed by the species in England and Wales.