§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice for methods of deterring cormorants were given in (a) cases where licences were not granted and (b) cases where licences were granted in 1984 and 1985.
§ Mr. John MacKayIn Scotland licences are granted to kill cormorants to prevent damage to stocks of salmon and trout throughout open water fisheries. We are not aware of any successful method of deterring cormorants in such circumstances.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Nature Conservancy Council was consulted over each application for a licence to kill cormorants in 1984 and so far in 1985.
§ Mr. John MacKayAs I indicated in reply to a question from the hon. Gentleman on 4 April, at column 735, it would be impracticable to consult the Nature Conservancy Council about individual applications relating to the protection of fisheries.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the conditions of the licence to kill cormorants make it clear that the licence is only for the purpose of preventing serious damage.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe conditions attached to licences to kill cormorants make it clear that they are only for the purpose of preventing damage to fisheries.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any research is being undertaken (a) to assess the number and size of fish taken by cormorants and the extent of their impact on fisheries and (b) to look at methods of deterring or scaring cormorants from areas where they are considered to be causing damage.
§ Mr. John MacKayNo research is currently being undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland into these subjects.