§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of falconry licences issued during each of the last five years, giving the categories and numbers of prey species involved; and whether details are collected by his Department of the numbers of prey finally taken.
§ Mr. MoynihanDetails of the number of falconry licences issued in the past five years and of the prey species involved are set out in the table. All licensees are required to submit returns of numbers of prey taken.
England and Wales Year Licences issued Prey species involved Number authorised Birds actually taken 1983 66 Blackbird 1,080 319 Skylark 200 37 Meadow Pipit 65 21 Moorhen 112 14 Song Thrush 75 11 Partridge 55 7 Coot 46 5 Pheasant 40 0 1984 68 Blackbird 917 198 Skylark 437 120 Meadow Pipit 100 17 Song Thrush 60 6 1985 68 Blackbird 978 246 Skylark 620 179 Meadow Pipit 110 12 Moorhen 10 3 Song Thrush 120 15 Blackheaded Gull 68 17 Lapwing 15 1 1986 69 Blackbird 921 222 Skylark 600 163 Meadow Pipit 95 26 Song Thrush 155 7 Moorhen 10 0 Blackheaded Gull 150 60 Fieldfare 10 0 Redwing 10 0 1987 61 Blackbird 858 Skylark 695 160 Meadow Pipit 70 Song Thrush 90 Blackheaded Gull 50 Fieldfare 15 Redwing 10 1 Only report received to date. 436W
Scotland Year Licences issued Prey species involved Number authorised Birds actually taken 1983 5 Blackbird 4 2 Skylark 10 10 Thrush 10 0
Year Licences issued Prey species involved Number authorised Birds actually taken 1984 6 Blackbird 80 14 Thrush 20 0 1985 3 Blackbird 70 0 Skylark 90 43 Meadow Pipit 20 5 Thrush 5 0 1986 3 Skylark 70 35 Meadow Pipit 20 0 1987 5 Blackbird 75 1 Skylark 65 1 None reported.