§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a copy of the licence to kill cormorants granted in 1985 to the South Esk settlement trust.
§ Mr. John MacKayLicence applications are treated in confidence, and it would not be appropriate to publish copies of a licence in theOfficial Report. In this particular case, however, I can confirm that the licence was issued in pursuance of the provisions of section 16(1)(k) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and included a specific condition prohibiting shooting within the area of Montrose basin except by prior arrangements with the Scottish Wildlife Trust which manages this as a local nature reserve.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the 1985 licence to kill cormorants issued to South Esk settlement trustees of Haughs of Kinnaird, Brechin, Angus, specifically stated as the grounds of authorising the killing of cormorants the prevention of damage to fisheries.
§ Mr. John MackayThe licence was issued in pursuance of section 16(1)(k) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act which relates to the prevention of serious damage to fisheries.