§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he took to ensure that the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland would meet all interested parties to reach a conclusion with regard to goose management on Islay before the beginning of the autumn season in 1991; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 13 January 1992]It is for the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland (NCCS) to decide the nature and timing of the consultations which will take this matter forward. The chairman of NCCS, Magnus Magnusson KBE, met the Islay Goose management committee in February 1991. Officials of NCCS have maintained a dialogue with the management committee subsequently. They have also taken part in a series of joint meetings with the Scottish Office Environment Department and the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department seeking to develop proposals for future goose management arrangements. Given the complexities of the matter it has not been possible to provide a new system of financial support for farmers for the present season but proposals for future years are to be put to the local area of the National Farmers Union of Scotland in February. To cover the period from autumn 1991 when geese have been on the island, the arrangements for scaring to protect crops and grassland were extended in October 1991 for a further year.