HL Deb 21 December 1983 vol 446 cc832-4WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will state the expenditure on their three-year research programme on grey seals and fisheries interactions undertaken by the Sea Mammals Research Unit, and when the results of the work are expected to be made public.

The Earl of Swinton

Since April 1980 the Natural Environment Research Council has received £186,518 from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland for a research programme on the interactions between grey seals and fisheries.

A report on this research will shortly be submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will give the report a wide circulation and will discuss it with the conservation and fisheries organisations.

It will be for my right honourable friend to decide upon the form and timing of further publication.