§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the outline planning permission granted in the Orkney Islands for the establishment of a mink farm can be reconsidered in view of the risk to the lives of many thousands of sea birds from escaped minks.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (Lord Kirkhill)The development proposed on Westray cannot take place until the Orkney Islands Council issue detailed planning approval and a licence for the keeping of mink under the Mink (Keeping) Regulations 1975 has 1113WA been obtained from the Secretary of State for Scotland. The Nature Conservancy Council have requested that the grant of outline planning permission should be reconsidered in the way in which the Secretary of State for Scotland considers most appropriate and this request is being considered.