§ Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide continuing protection for seals under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, following the expiry of the order laid under section 3 (i) in 1990. [7031]
§ Mr. SackvilleI have now laid before Parliament the Conservation of Seals (England) Order 1996, which provides permanent close season protection for common seals and grey seals for three years in an area stretching along the North sea coast from the border between England and Scotland to Newhaven on the south coast. The order will come into force on 19 December, to coincide with the expiry of the order laid in 1993.