§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of permits issued to falconers to take protected species of birds as quarry during 1989 and 1990 to date; what were the species in respect of which such permits were issued; and what were the number of each species so taken.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryIn the 1989–90 season, 66 licences were issued to falconers in England, Scotland and Wales to take the following species: blackbird, skylark, black-headed gull, song thrush, mistle thrush, redwing, fieldfare and meadow pipit. The number of birds reported as taken are: blackbird 59, skylark 278, black-headed gull 1, song thrush 2, redwing 8 and fieldfare 10.
To date, 60 licences have been issued in the 1990–91 season to take the following species: blackbird, skylark, black-headed gull, song thrush and meadow pipit; the numbers of birds taken are not yet available.