Mr. W. H. K. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates he has made of the economic damage caused to fishing interests by seals in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. RossI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I gave on 19th June, to Questions by the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. Wolrige-Gordon). More precise estimates in relation to individual years cannot be given but indications are that seals have been more numerous and more active in Scottish waters in recent years and also that worm infestation of fish has been more widespread and on an increased scale.—[Vol 766, c.141–2.]