§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give, in respect of each region, the total number of reported deaths of golden eagles, white-tailed eagles and buzzards by unnatural causes in each year since the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 came into force.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe numbers of deaths of golden eagles, white-tailed eagles and buzzards from other than natural causes (excluding accidental deaths), as confirmed by the wildlife incident investigation service, in each of the years from 1981 to date in Scotland are given in the table.
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Year Golden Eagle White-tailed Eagle Buzzard 1984 Highland 2 Strathclyde 1 Grampian 1 Highland 2 1985 Strathclyde 1 Dumfries and Galloway 1 Highland 2 Tayside 1 Grampian 2 Highland 6 1986 Strathclyde 1 Dumfries and Galloway 1 Strathclyde 3 Borders 2 Tayside 1 Grampian 2 Highland 1 1987 Highland 2 Dumfries and Galloway 4 Strathclyde 2 Tayside 1 Highland 2 1988 Strathclyde 2 Strathclyde 1 Central 1 Tayside 2 Tayside 1 Highland 3 Highland 1
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to what effect he has received advice from the Nature Conservancy Council arising from the recent deaths of birds of prey caused by poisoning; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI deplore the disregard for the law shown by individuals who lay poisoned baits as a method of pest control. The line of action pursued by officials is in accordance with the longstanding views of the Nature Conservancy Council on the unlawful killing of birds of prey. Every case is investigated with a view to initiating prosecutions wherever possible, and continuing efforts are made to persuade landowners and occupiers to take steps to ensure that no person in their employ does anything which is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Public expenditure: Charges 1982–83 to 1990–91—Scotland Programme1 2 1982–83 outturn 1983–84 outturn 1984–85 outturn 1985–86 outturn 1986–87 outturn 1987–88 estimated outturn 1988–89 Plans 1989–90 Plans 1990–91 Plans £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million £ million Agriculture, fisheries and food Other agriculture, food services and support for the fishing industry -7 -6 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 Total agriculture, fisheries and food -7 -6 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 Industry, energy, trade and employment (tourism only) Promotion of tourism -2 -3 -1 -1 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 Total industry, energy, trade and employment (tourism only) -2 -3 -1 -1 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 Roads and transport National roads system -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -2 -2 -2 -2 Local roads -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 Total roads and transport -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3