§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many zoos are currently licensed in the United Kingdom; and what are their locations.
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 11 December 1992]: Zoo licences are issued by local authorities. The information they have supplied to my Department indicates that 219 zoos are currently licensed in England under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. In addition, 54 premises have been granted dispensation from the provisions of the Act because of their size. The corresponding information for zoos in Scotland and Wales is held by the Scottish Office and the Welsh Ofice respectively. I have placed a list of zoos, together with a list of those premises which have been granted dispensation, in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many United Kingdom zoos do not currently meet the terms of the proposed EC zoo directive; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 11 December 1992]: The proposed directive would require member states to introduce measures to license all zoos. it is difficult to be precise about its effect on individual zoos since it does not contain detailed standards. We would expect most zoos in Great Britain to meet its terms since they already comply with the strict standards set under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce a bonding scheme to all zoos to ensure the proper relocation of zoo animals should British zoos be forced to close.
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§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 11 December 1992]: I have no plans to do so.