§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest estimate of the number of seals in British waters; and how this compares with the situation five and 10 years ago, respectively.
§ Mr. MellorThe latest available figures, published in the news journal of the National Environment Research Council in December 1985, show that the estimated total populations of grey and common seals in British waters in 1984 were 84,500 and 21,500 respectively. In 1979, the corresponding figures were 72,000 and 20,500 and in 1974 they were 61,000 and 18,500.