§ Mr. Hargreavesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any intention to reinstate the Curlew, Redshank, Brent and Barnacle geese to the quarry list; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI requested a report on the situation from my scientific adviser, the Nature Conservancy Council. It advises strongly against any change in the protected status of these species. I have also, of course, considered the views put forward by all other interested parties, including the case put to me by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation in respect of the curlew and redshank. However, after weighing all the evidence and views submitted I am not convinced that there is sufficient justification to reduce the current protection which these species now enjoy. Consequently, the Secretary of State does not intend to make any order to place these species on the quarry list.