HC Deb 02 May 1995 vol 259 c125W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many import permits for the convention on international trade in endangered species appendix I species of cranes his Department has issued in 1994 and 1995. [21831]

Sir Paul Beresford

In 1994 my Department issued nine permits allowing the import of specimens of crane listed in appendix I of CITES. So far, in 1995, one permit has been issued.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the population of(a) pine martens (b) peregrine falcons, (c) hen harriers and (d) sparrowhawks in each year since 1980; and what is his estimate of the amount of damage each species does to game birds. [21850]

Sir Paul Beresford

My Department's statutory advisors, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, advise that annual population estimates are not available for these species. Specific surveys have been undertaken for each species since 1980 and the most up-to-date figures for England are as follows:

Year Species Population
1987–88 Pine marten 100 individuals
1991 Peregrine falcons 308 pairs
1993 Hen harriers 16 pairs
1986 Sparrowhawks There is no separate figure for England, but the population in Great Britain was last estimated at 32,000 pairs.
There is no reliable information available on whether pine marten, peregrine falcons, hen harriers and sparrowhawks affect game bird populations.

Annual compensation payment to age 60 (rate pa) £ Superannuation lump sum £ Lump sum Compensation payment £ compensation in lieu of notice (if any) £
1990–91 Compulsory None None None Not available in the time
Flexible 8,212 24,935 Nil given
1991–92 Compulsory None None None Not available in the time
Flexible 10,515 31,543 Nil given
1992–93 Compulsory None None None Not available in the time
Flexible 10,138 27,288 Nil given
1993–94 Compulsory 10,590 30,801 15,103 Not available in the time
Flexible 26,888 80,665 16,611 given
1994–95 Compulsory None None None Not available in the time
Flexible None None None given