Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment has been made of the levels of(a) lead, (b) cadmium, (c) mercury, (d) nickel, (e) phosphorus and (f) cholrinated hydrocarbons including polychlorinated biphenyls dioxins and naphthalenes found in dead seals collected on the east coast of England in August and September.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe sea mammal research unit of the Natural Environment Research Council is co-ordinating a large programme of analyses on contaminant levels in dead seals from the whole coastline of the British Isles. This study is part of an international collaborative programme in part funded by DOE, MAFF, DAFS and the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology are undertaking the analyses on heavy metals, pesticides and PCB's. Measurements of some of the more complicated organic compounds such as dioxins and organotins are being made on the same samples in Holland.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters he has received from(a) organisations, (b) members of the general public and (c) overseas in the periods (i) January to June and (ii) July to present time on the welfare on seals in the North sea and coastal waters around the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyPrevious to July of this year occasional letters received in the Department made a 393W reference to this subject. Since July over 500 letters have been received from members of the public including those forwarded by hon. Members, 16 from organisations and 10 from overseas, mostly since the spread of the seals disease to the United Kingdom was confirmed in late August.