§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for the most recent convenient period the number of prosecutions which have taken place under the legislation to protect birds, animals and plants which is being consolidated in the Wildlife and Countryside Bill [Lords].
§ Mr. MonroThe legislation to protect birds, animals and plants to be consolidated in the Bill is the Protection of Birds Acts 1954 to 1967 and the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975. In 1979, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 158 prosecutions where the principal offence was under the former Acts and no prosecution under the latter. There was, however, one caution recorded under the 1975 Act.