§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest assessment of the grey seal population in and around Orkney.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe latest estimate from the sea mammal research unit of the Natural Environment Research Council is that there were about 21,000 grey seals in the breeding colonies in and around Orkney at January 1983.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to control the grey seal population in and around Orkney.
§ Mr. John MacKayMy right hon. Friend is considering the views expressed by conservation and fishery organisations on the need for grey seal management and hopes to reach a decision on this shortly.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations he has received as to the advisable population of grey seals in and around Orkney.
§ Mr. John MacKayNo such recommendations have been received. On the general question whether there is a need to control grey seal populations I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East (Mr. Ross) of 26 June 1984.