§ Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the keeping of livestock in Bushy and Hampton Court Parks; what has 337W been the average number of deer, cattle and sheep, respectively, kept in these parks in each of the last five years; and what are the planned numbers for 1978.
§ Mr. ShoreThe number of animals grazing in these parks varies because the Department's deer and their needs are given first consideration. Grazing concessions for other animals take account of this and the conditions in the parks at any given time.
The average numbers in each of the past five years were as follows:
BUSHY PARK Deer Cattle Fallow Red 1973 134 83 76 1974 127 91 126 1975 127 104 36 1976 126 110 34 1977 144 124 20 In addition about a dozen horses are permitted to graze in the park. No change in the numbers of deer and horses is planned in 1978, but four additional cattle will be permitted.
HAMPTON COURT PARK Fallow Deer Cattle Sheep 1973 100 — 200 1974 135 14 200 1975 155 21 200 1976 198 — 200 1977 190 — 200 No changes are planned for 1978