§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many seabirds have been affected by the oil pollution in the Channel caused by dumping or cleaning in early January 1989; who was responsible for the pollution; and what support has been given by Her Majesty's Government to organisations involved in rescuing the birds.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIt is too early to assess the full impact of the oil pollution in the Channel on sea birds. Oiled birds are continuing to come ashore. It may not yet be possible properly to assess the damage caused to sea bird populations. The Department of Transport is investigating the incident, but it has not been possible to identify the cause of the oil slick.
The organisations which are most involved in rescuing the birds are the RSPCA and the RSPB. Neither body has asked for Government assistance.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many licences for the killing of dark-bellied brent geese have been issued by his Department in the past three years; and how many birds have been slaughtered;
(2) what efforts are made by his Department to sponsor the setting aside by farmers of special feeding grounds for geese and other crop-eating birds.
§ Mr. RyderI have been asked to reply.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food issues licences permitting the killing of limited numbers of dark-bellied brent geese as an aid to scaring operations to protect crops from serious damage. The position is reviewed each year and advice is taken from the Nature Conservancy Council.
The geese overwinter during the period October to March and details of licences issued and numbers killed during the last three seasons in England are given in the table. No licences are issued in either Scotland or Wales.
507W
Licences Issued Season Number Maximum number of geese permitted to be shot Number of geese shot 1985–86 89 1,095 932 1986–87 72 1,200 550 1987–88 56 970 399 Total 217 3,265 1,881