§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many grey seal pups were authorised to be taken under licence during the 1981 season from each of the islands of Ruskholm, Wartholm, Faray and Faray Holm, Holm and Point of Spurness, Holm of Huip and Auskerry, and how the returns by hunters were checked.
§ The Earl of MansfieldThe licences issued in terms of the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 in respect of the grey seal pup hunt in Orkney limit the number of pups to be taken by individual hunters from certain named islands. The licences do not, however, limit the numbers of pups to be taken from particular islands. Information based on the returns from the hunters was contained in the reply given to the noble Lord on 17th December 1981. The check of the returns made by the hunters was backed up by observations of hunting activity made by the DAFS officer supervising the hunt. Sample checks were also made of the consignment of skins which were sent from the islands.