HL Deb 22 November 1983 vol 445 c234WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the numbers and localities where licences have been granted in Scotland to permit the killing of:

  1. (a) mergansers, and
  2. (b) goosanders
and if they will indicate whether these licences are issued to named individuals, or are general licences authorising many different individuals to kill these otherwise protected species.

Lord Gray of Contin

Licences to shoot mergansers and goosanders for the purpose of protecting salmon and freshwater fisheries are considered only if they come from individuals or bodies with a direct interest in the particular fisheries. Forty-six licences have been issued to shoot mergansers and/or goosanders—seven in Dumfries and Galloway; five in the Borders; fifteen in Highland; seven in Grampian; nine in Tayside; and three in Strathclyde.