HC Deb 25 July 1988 vol 138 c57W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider seeking to increase penalties for the illegal theft and disturbance of British birds of prey; and what information he has on the prices commanded abroad for falcons, eagles and hawks.

Mr. Moynihan

I do not propose at present to seek an increase in the penalties for the illegal taking of birds of prey from the wild. I have no specific information on the prices which falcons, hawks and eagles may command abroad.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to reduce and prevent the theft of British birds of prey, including the peregrine falcon and goshawk, for the purposes of sale to falconers both in Britain and abroad.

Mr. Moynihan

Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence for any person to take a wild bird, unless he has a defence under any other provision of the Act. The enforcement of section 1 is a matter for the police.

Pay awards in
1986–87 from percentage 1987–88 percentage
Teachers 1 April 1986 5.7 1 October 1987 8.2
1 January 1987 8.2
Further education lecturers 1 April 1986 5.6 1 April 1987 5.0
1 September 1987 5.3
Police 1 September 1986 7.5 1 September 1987 7.75
Fire 7 November 1986 7.3 7 November 1987 7.3
Manuals 1 September 1986 6.7 1 July 1987 10.6
APT and C 1 July 1986 6.0 1 July 1987 5.0
1 February 1988 2.5
Engineering craftsmen 1 February 1987 5.6 1 February 1988 4.0
Electricians and Building trade operatives 1 February 1987 4.0 1 September 1987 6.8
Chief officers and Chief executives 1 July 1986 5.5 1 September 1987 7.0

Manpower in the 12 months to March 1987 and March 1988 increased by 0.7 per cent. and 0–9 per cent. respectively.

The rate support grant settlements for 1986–87 and 1987–88 provided for local authority current expenditure of £22,253–5 million and £25,251 million respectively. In deciding the level of provision the Secretary of State took account of those factors which he is required to by statute. In addition, the first supplementary report for 1987–88