§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will give details of the organisations or individuals conducting research on seals and their interaction with commercial fisheries commissioned and solely funded by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland in the years 1986–87 and 1987–88.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Glenarthur)The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland is funding two research projects in the years 1986-87 and 1987–88 which are being conducted by other organisations: a three-year contract with the University of Aberdeen, and a one-year contract with the Marine Resources Assessment Group of the Imperial College of Science and Technology.
§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the Natural Environment Research Council's committee on seals, established in March 1986, will have the opportunity to review the direction and progress of the research on seals and their interaction with commercial fisheries carried out by or commissioned by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, and solely funded by that department.
§ Lord GlenarthurThe Natural Environment Research Council's Special Commitee have been given details of the DAFS research programme on seals. In common with other bodies, including fishing interests, the Natural Environment Research Council will as in the past be invited to comment on the results of the DAFS research work. It will be for the council itself to decide on how to arrange its consideration of the research findings.