§ Mr. P. OLIVERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that the killing of white seals within the close season was again prevalent on various parts of the coast during the past year; and will he take steps by adequate public advertisement in places on the mainland adjoining the breeding places to bring to the notice of the inhabitants that the provisions of the Grey Seals Protection Act, 1914, have been extended by the Expiring Laws Continuation Act, 1923?
§ Mr. BUXTONI have received no such information as is referred to in the first part of this question. The protection given to the grey seal by the Grey Seals Protection Act, 1914, was widely advertised by a notice, issued to fishermen both by my Department and by the Fishery Board for Scotland in the autumn of 1921. This notice was also circulated by the Home Office to all Chief Constables2612W concerned. I am sending the hon. Member a copy and shall be glad to reissue it in any district in which he considers the local population is unaware of the continued protection given to the grey seal by the Act of 1914.