§ Mr. Hanleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he now has to introduce regulations to control the sale and import of lead shot for fishing purposes from 1 January 1987, following his predecessor's statement on 17 July 1985 about voluntary measures to switch to non-toxic alternatives to lead shot and thereby to avoid swan deaths.
§ Mr. WaldegraveProgress towards the voluntary withdrawal of lead fishing weights has been closely monitored during the fishing season which ended recently, and the evidence is currently being analysed. I shall be considering the results very carefully and hope to be in a position to announce the outcome in early summer.
In the meantime, we shall shortly be initiating consultations on regulations under section 100 of the Control of Pollution Act so that if necessary they may be brought into effect on 1 January 1987.