HL Deb 28 July 1981 vol 423 c750WA
Lord Chelwood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What research is taking place into a satisfactory substitute for lead for use by fishermen and in shotguns, what progress has been made, and whether and, if so, in what ways they are furthering these efforts.

The Earl of Avon

A working group chaired by the Nature Conservancy Council was set up in 1979 to investigate the effect of lead poisoning in swans. The working party's terms of reference include the investigation of alternatives to lead. They are currently considering new evidence and will be making recommendations in due course.