§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who is responsible for authorising and signing night shooting licences; what applications and for what areas have been(a) made and (b) granted since 1994; and if he will place a copy of the terms and conditions of the licences in the Library. [16157]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 20 February 1996]: Section 98 of the Agriculture Act 1947 provides the authority for the Minister to issue notices raquiring night shooting for the purposes of preventing damage to crops, pasture, animal or human foodstuffs, livestock, trees, hedges, banks or any works on land. Any such notices are authorised by and signed on behalf of the Minister.
Since 1994, two applications for notices to shoot at night have been received. Both were for areas within the county of Somerset and both were issued. As requested, a copy of the terms and conditions of the notices has been placed in the Library of the House.