To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of licences issued under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to permit the killing of (a) barnacle and (b) Greenland white-fronted geese on Islay to prevent serious agricultural damage, for each winter since 1985–86.
The information is as follows:
| Year | Number of barnacle licences issued | Number of white-front licences issued |
| 1985–86 | 26 | — |
| 1986–87 | 29 | — |
| 1987–88 | 40 | 13 |
| 1988–89 | 30 | 2 |
| 1989–90 | 28 | 8 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of (a) barnacle and (b) Greenland white-fronted geese killed under licence on Islay to prevent serious agricultural damage in each winter since 1985–86.
The information is as follows:
| Year | Barnacles reported shot | White-fronts reported shot |
| 1985–86 | 541 | — |
| 1986–87 | 791 | — |
| 1987–88 | 505 | 76 |
| 1988–89 | 752 | 6 |
| 1989–90 | 915 | 45 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that Her Majesty's Government comply with the requirements of article 7.4 of the European Community directive on the conservation of wild birds 79/409 in respect of licences issued to permit the killing of migratory geese that would otherwise enjoy full protection, or be protected during the close season, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Licences are issued under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 only after it has been established on the basis of a careful assessment of the situation on the ground that geese are causing sufficiently serious damage to crops or grassland to justify this step, and that there is no other satisfactory means of preventing such damage.Conditions to guard against misuse are attached to the licences. Arrangements are made for the licences to be revoked in time to give the migratory geese a suitable period of preparation without disturbance before returning to their breeding grounds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many returns in respect of licences issued in winter 1989–90 to permit the killing of (a) barnacle and (b) Greenland white-fronted geese on Islay to prevent serious agricultural damage were incomplete; and whether he will withhold the giving of a new licence to those who failed to provide a comprehensive return in winter 1989–90.
Returns for 1989–90, including supplementary information provided at the request of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, are generally satisfactory. Wilful refusal to provide information required would be an important factor in consideration of any fresh application from the individual concerned.