§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many grey seal pups of the 1,200 licensed to be taken in Orkney were harvested in the 1980 season, and whether they will make a statement on the claims that this quota was exceeded.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (The Earl of Mansfield)Of the quota of 1,200 moulted grey seal pups licensed by the Secretary of State to be taken in 1980, 1,195 were taken. On the basis of the returns from the licensed hunters and the checks made by my department, I have no evidence that the quota was exceeded.