To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many zoos are licensed in England and Wales under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981; if he will publish a list of these zoos; and if he will make a statement.

Zoo licences are issued by local authorities. The information they have supplied to my Department indicates that 284 zoos are currently licensed in England under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. The corresponding information for zoos in Wales is held by the Welsh Office. I have placed a list of zoos licensed in England under the 1981 Act in the Library of the House.