§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department will commission a survey of the otter population of Wales so that there can be a proper public estimate of the dangers to this species.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI have been asked to reply.
As I informed the hon. Member on 1st July—[Vol. 914, c. 224–5.]—a survey of the otter populations of England, Scotland and Wales is already in progress. Moreover, the Nature Conservancy Council is currently assessing, with the appropriate voluntary bodies, all available evidence on the status of the otter.