§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many seals have been culled in the United Kingdom in each of the past three years; and what licences for the culling of seals he has issued for 1977.
§ Dr. SummerskillUnder the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 a licence is required to kill common and grey seals in Great Britain during their close seasons. The numbers of such seals killed under licence issued by the Home Secretary or the 201W Secretary of State for Scotland are as follows:
England and Wales Scotland Year Grey Common Grey Common 1974 … 8 1 1,843 535 1975 … 823 1 1,709 368 1976 … 8 — 1,672 467 My right hon. Friend and I have issued no licences this year. I have no information about common or grey seals killed outside the close season or seals of any species killed in Northern Ireland waters, which are not covered by legislation.