§ Lord Beaumont of Whitleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 20 March (H.L. Deb., cols. 7–9), whether their feral cat control programme for Ascension Island has been put into operation; if so, what are the results; and, if not, by when they hope to have it completed. [HL2710]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)The Ascension Island feral cat programme (funded by the FCO) started on 29 May. It is proceeding satisfactorily. We are receiving weekly reports from the Administrator of Ascension. The programme should be completed by October. This timing should ensure a successful breeding season for Ascension's colony of sooty terns, which has suffered heavily from predation from the feral cats.