§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many licences were granted in 1991 and 1992 permitting(a) interference with a badger sett under the 1991 and 1992 Badgers Acts and (b) the entering of a dog into a badger sett; when the licences were issued; to whom; for what purpose; and for which geographical area.
§ Mr. SoamesInformation on licensing has only been collected centrally since February 1992, prior to which very few licences were issued. The number of licences issued since this time is as follows:
(a)
licences to interfere with a badger sett under the 1991 and 1992 Badgers Acts (excluding the entry of dogs into setts)—numbers issued by month and by Ministry region:
57W
Region February March April May June July August September October Totals 1 4 10 9 15 24 18 19 18 The names and addresses of individual licence holders are confidential.
While information on the specific purpose of each licence is not collected centrally, the majority of licences have been issued for the purpose of agricultural or forestry operations. Licences have also been issued to prevent serious damage to land, crops, livestock or other forms of property, or for land drainage purposes.
(b) no licences have been issued at any time to permit the entry of a dog into a badger sett.
§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for licences to enter a dog into a badger sett his Department has received.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Ministry has received six applications for licences to enter a dog into a badget sett.