To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he is giving to the possibilities afforded by the DNA techniques developed by Professor Alec Jeffreys, FRS, of the university of Leicester for the enhanced breeding of captive animals from endangered species; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of the investigations which are being carried out connected with the possible application of Professor Jeffreys' DNA techniques and I recognise that this biotechnology may have a part to play in the conservation of endangered species. However, research is still continuing into these techniques and it is too soon to make a proper assessment of their full potential.