§ Lord MELCHETTasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Natural Environment Research Council or the Nature Conservancy Council were consulted before a licence was issued in October 1979, under Section 10(1)(b) of the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, authorising the taking of 12 live grey seal pups to he consigned to a zoo in West Germany; and whether the occupier of Sweyn Holm was given 28 days' notice before those involved attempted 1786WA to catch seal pups there, as required by Section 11 of the same Act.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (The Earl of Mansfield)My Department consulted the Natural Environment Research Council but not the Nature Conservancy Council before the licence was issued. Under Section 10(3)(b) of the Act consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council is required only in the case of a proposal to licence the taking of seals from a nature reserve or site of special scientific interest.
As the written consent of the occupier of the island had been obtained, the use of the powers in Section 11 of the Act to authorise entry did not arise.