To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking for the protection of the capercaillie.

The capercaillie is presently listed in part 1 of schedule 2 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and may be killed or taken only outside the closed season, that is, between 1 October and 31 January. In view of the decline in numbers of capercaillie, I have recently written to a wide range of interests proposing that a statutory ban on their shooting should be introduced from 1 October 1990. Under my proposals, the ban would be reviewed annually, following consultation. A copy of my consultation letter has been placed in the Library.