asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the number of swans that have died as a result of lead shot poisoning in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

It is estimated that 3,000–3,500 mute swans died each year from this cause in the period 1980–85. The estimate is derived by relating details of post-mortem examinations carried out at a number of centres to the known annual mortality rate of the population as a whole. It is too soon to assess the effects of the recent statutory ban on the sale of certain lead angling weights, but the Nature Conservancy Council will monitor the position.