HC Deb 01 March 1996 vol 272 cc767-8W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the threat to migrating birds in those areas affected by oil from the Sea Empress. [18357]

Mr. Gwilym Jones

The Countryside Council for Wales is collating data on dead and affected birds and it is too early to assess the full effect of the incident on any species. Particular concern has been expressed about the wintering Common Scoter population in Carmarthen bay, where up to 700 dead and over 1,000 oiled birds have been recovered by the RSPCA.