§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many permits have been issued to falconers to take protected species of birds as quarry in each year since 1988; what were the species in respect of which such permits were issued; and what were the number of each species taken. [21248]
§ Mr. MossNo permits have been either applied for or issued to falconers to take protected species of birds as quarry in any year since 1988.
Numbers and species held Year Number of Licences issued Peregrine Sparrowhawk Kestrel Buzzard Others 1988 9 2 4 1 2 — 1989 2 — — — 1 1 Goshawk 1990 6 5 — — 3 — 1991 7 5 — 2 3 1 Merlin 1992 12 5 — — 4 3 Barn Owls 1993 13 5 — 8 — — 1994 22 4 3 7 3 5 Goshawk