§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to investigate the serious decline in the population of barn owls in the British Isles.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe decline in the population of barn owls is primarily due to the loss of traditional nesting sites in old barns, lofts, and similar sites. Voluntary bodies are making efforts to provide nesting boxes in suitable locations as alternatives following a ministerial initiative. I am also aware of a national study being undertaken by the Hawk trust into the habitat of the barn owl.