§ Mr. Burdenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek powers to stop the shooting of common and grey seals, other than on the Farne Islands, in circumstances that cause suffering to the many animals not killed outright.
§ Mr. HoyI am afraid that the Parliamentary timetable is such that there is no prospect of being able to introduce legislation on this matter in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, my Department has been in touch with the other Departments concerned to examine this problem further, and to see what should and could be done if the opportunity for legislation arose.