§ Mr. Alton asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many mortalities have been recorded among birds in the Mersey estuary over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the causes.
§ Mr. Giles Shaw:Such information is not collected centrally as it is a matter for the North-West water authority to deal with in collaboration with local wildlife organisations. I understand that despite extensive searches fewer than 20 dead birds have been recovered from the estuary this season. Most have been gulls and the likely cause of death is suspected to be a form of botulism which occurs only in birds.