§ Lord Hardy of Wathasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their estimate of the decline in numbers of smaller cetaceans during the last decade; and what action they propose to take to arrest that decline.
§ Baroness HaymanDuring 1994 the UK worked with several other states in a comprehensive survey of regional waters to assess the abundance of small cetaceans. The survey was the first of its kind and comparative data have yet to be obtained.
All cetaceans are subject to statutory protection in UK waters, and the UK is signatory to the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS). Nationally, and regionally, we are taking a precautionary approach in seeking to assess and address natural and anthropogenic activities on cetaceans.
188WA
National non-domestic rates—Calculation of distributable amount £million 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 final outturn provisional outturn provisional outturn estimated in-year contribution 1. Income from local lists Multiplier (p) 43.2 44.9 45.8 47.4 Gross rate yield 12,781 13,369 13.518 13,843 (i) Reliefs (a) Net transitional relief −731 −546 −497 −616 (b) Empty properties −1,054 −1.014 −1.098 −1,137 (c) Charitable −445 −482 −535 −535 (d) Discretionary −26 −77 −181 −50 Net yield after reliefs 10.524 11.251 11.207 11.504 Collection costs/reductions to contributions (a) Costs of collection −75 −76 −79 −79 (b) Losses on collection −144 −148 −154 −160 (c) City of London offset −7 −7 −7 −7 Total contribution in respect of year 10,299 11,020 10,968 11,259 (iii)Adjustments Repayments/interest payments −1,005 −363 −350 −426 Total adjustments −1,005 −363 −350 −426 Net local yield 9,294 10,657 10,618 10,833 2. Income from central list Net central list yield 1,192 1,221 1,200 1,211 3. Income from crown contributions in aid Net crown yield 481 487 485 445 Total NDR yield 10.967 /2,365 12.303 12,489 4. Exchequer contributions Total exchequer contributions 505 429 400 360 Total NNDR pool payments (1+2+3+4) 11,472 12,794 12,703 12,849