asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have assessed the likely impact on song birds of the granting by Natural England of licences to permit the release of approximately 250 grey squirrels into the United Kingdom countryside. [HL881]

In fulfilling its statutory role in licensing non-native releases under Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, Natural England assesses any actual or potential impact on our native species, including songbirds, and the environment.

During 2007 Natural England has licensed the release of up to 250 grey squirrels for the purposes of animal welfare and rehabilitation. These are animals which were originally taken from the wild for treatment, or that were immediately released, at the same location, for example after being entangled in wire netting. On average over a year, around 4,000 grey squirrels are born and die every day, which I hope puts the licensing activity into some perspective.

Any risk to song birds that licensed releases of grey squirrels represents is considered to be negligible.