§ Lord Houghton of Sowerby asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ How far they have got with measures to stop the slaughter and reduction in the numbers of swans on rivers and other waters where fishing with lead weights is permitted or tolerated.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Avon)Several non-toxic alternatives to lead shot are now available, and the Government, with the assistance of the Sports Council, water authorities and angling bodies has actively encouraged their use. We have undertaken to ensure that the use of lead weights in angling is phased out by the endof 1986, if possible by
612WA voluntary means, but we will if necessary consider legislation. The situation is being closely monitored, and the Nature Conservancy Council will be reporting on progress early in the new year.
Financial Support to the Coal Industry (£ million) 1974/75 to 1983/84 Labour Conservative 9 months July to March 1974/75 Estimates 1975/76 1976/77 1977/78 1978/79 1979/80 1980/81 1981/82 1982/83 1983/84 3 months April to June 1984/843 Ten year Total Deficit and Operating Grants2 114 69 11 24 117 182 167 242 598 598 122 2,244 Social Grants2 10 22 44 51 54 63 77 93 95 133 52 694 Pneumoconiosis Grant2 45 40 — — — — 1 2 — — — 88 Sub-total 169 131 55 75 171 245 245 337 693 731 174 3,026 RMPS3 8 13 16 17 18 15 15 48 80 190 55 475 Total Subsidy 177 144 71 92 189 260 260 385 773 921 229 3,501 Memo: Output 2(MT) 84.8 125.8 120.8 120.9 119.9 123.3 126.6 124.3 120.9 106.1 9.04 1,182.4 Notes: 1. All figures are on a CASH basis at outturn prices. 3. Source: Coal Division Records. 2. Source: Appropriation Accounts. 4. Source: NCB Monitoring Returns.