§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 10 January,Official Report, column 510, if he will report on the progress made by the RSPCA and RSPB in rescuing birds affected by the recent oil pollution in the Channel; and what is his latest estimate of damage caused to seabird populations.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 19 January 1989]: I understand that so far this month the RSPCA, assisted by local volunteer members of the RSPB, have in the course of sea and beach patrols responded to five separate incidents involving a total of about 500 birds affected by oil. Many of the affected birds have been taken for cleaning at RSPCA and private centres. It is estimated that while up to 1,000 birds may have died, a further 1,000 affected birds will survive.