§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of(a) the depletion rate of basking sharks over the past five years and (b) the size of the current population around the coastline and islands; and if he will make a statement. [14667]
§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson[holding answer 12 February 1997]: No estimates are currently available due in part to the basking shark's erratic and highly variable appearances off Scotland's coasts. Scottish Natural Heritage has examined the feasibility of monitoring the distribution and movement of this species and is considering the best way of taking forward research.