asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is satisfied that the legislation controlling the availability and use of poisons and poisoned substances for use in the countryside is adequately enforced to protect Great Britain's wildlife, particularly rare species such as the Red Kite and Golden Eagle, from deliberate persecution; and if he will make a statement;(2) what study his Department has made of the report issued by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds entitled "Hidden Death", and whether he will initiate discussions with the society over the recommendations of the report.

This Department has recently received the report by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds entitled "Silent Death" which investigates the deliberate misuse of poisons to destroy birds and mammals. We are studying its contents with interest and will be seeking advice from the Nature Conservancy Council and other interested Government Departments.