HC Deb 23 January 1995 vol 253 cc61-2W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what requests he has from individuals and organisations to issue licences to shoot cormorants and goosanders on any Welsh river other than the River Wye; and what has been his decision in response to those requests.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

Very few applications have been received to kill birds on other rivers in Wales in recent years and no licences have been issued.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the first licences were issued for the shooting of cormorants and goosanders on the River Wye.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

On 14 December 1994.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cormorants and goosanders have been shot on the River Wye following the issuing of licences by his Department.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

Up until 18 January 1995, three goosanders and no cormorants had been shot under current licences.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which organisations requested that licences be issued for the shooting of cormorants and goosanders on the River Wye.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

None. The applications were from individual fishery owners.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he requested advice from the Countryside Council for Wales on the issuing of licences for the shooting of cormorants and goosanders on the River Wye.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

In November 1994 as far as the current licences are concerned.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice was sought by his Department before issuing licences for the shooting of cormorants and goosanders on the River Wye.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

Advice and recommendations were provided by Agricultural Development Advisory Service wildlife consultants. These took account of comments by the Countryside Council for Wales and information provided by the National Rivers Authority.