Written question asked by Stephen O'Brien (Conservative) on Monday, 15 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 June 2009. It was answered by Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour) on Monday, 22 June 2009 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Great Crested Newts

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of people qualified to survey land in England for signs of great crested newt activity.

Answer: People with suitable experience and skills can apply to Natural England for a licence to handle/disturb great crested newts. For the year April 2007 to March 2008, Natural England issued 1,074 great crested newt licences, permitting activities for the purpose of science and conservation. Figures cannot be broken down further to indicate how many of these licence holders were engaged in surveying land for signs of great crested newt activity.

Secondary information