HL Deb 29 November 1983 vol 445 cc687-8WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they agree that it would be an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the operator of a crayfish farm carelessly or negligently to allow a signal crayfish (pacifasticus leniusculus) to escape unless they had a licence issued under the Act permitting the release of signal crayfish into the wild.

Lord Belstead

Yes.

Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many crayfish farms stocked with the signal crayfish (pacifasticus leniusculus) currently operate in the United Kingdom, whether they will state the location of each and the length of time each has been in operation, and whether they will state which of these farms has succeeded in preventing any escape of the signal crayfish to the wild.

Lord Belstead

So far as Her Majesty's Government are aware, no records are maintained relating to the information requested.