§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on the extension of the open general licence to release chukar and hybrid partridges into the wild;
(2) whether his Department is aware of any research into the impact on partridge populations of the release of chukar and hybrid partridges into the wild.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryLast year the Game Conservancy produced a paper "The Chukar Report" dealing with the 'impact of releasing hybrid partridges on wild populations of red-legged partridges'. The main conclusion was that releases of Chukar partridges and their hybrids have an adverse conservation effect on the native partridge and should be phased out. General licences which expire at the end of 1992 have therefore been issued. This will enable game farmers to phase out releases of Chukars and their hybrids.