RELEASE OF GREY SQUIRRELS

Early day motion 328, tabled 20 November 2007 by Lord Blencathra (Conservative). Signed by 37 members.

That this House commends the work of the European Squirrels Initiative in saving red squirrels; notes with concern that the number of grey squirrels re-released into the wild, under licences granted by Natural England, has reached 257 over the last 18 months; condemns Natural England for breaking section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 without regard for Britain's native red squirrel population; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to prevent further decline of the red squirrel population in the UK.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Conservative 10, Liberal Democrat 8, DUP 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.