§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the number of applications for licences to kill cormorants received in 1984 and 1985; and what was the number granted, the number of cormorants allowed to be killed, and the number of cormorants killed, with, in each case, the location and the reason for the killing.
§ Mrs. FennerTwelve applications for licences to kill cormorants were received by Agricultural Departments in England and Wales in 1984, of which four were granted. In 1985, five applications were received, of which one was granted. Details of licences granted in 1984 and 1985 are as follows:
Location Nature and extend of damage Maximum number permitted to be killed Number actually taken 1984 Blithfield reservoir, Staffs Serious damage to trout stocks 10 * Withington pools, Serious damage (i) 10 4 Wilmslow, Cheshire (2licences) to trout stocks (ii) 5 4 Maldon, Essex Serious damage to trout stocks 10 9 Wales: Cefni reservoir, Anglesey Serious damage to trout stocks 6 * 1985 Maldon, Essex Serious damage to trout stocks 10 † * Nil.
† Nil to date (Licence expires November 1986).