Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department had with Natural England ahead of its decision to revoke General Licences 04/05/06.

Dr Thérèse Coffey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment: Wild Justice’s legal challenge to the General Licences 04/05/06 was against Natural England, as the licensing authority. Defra discussed with Natural England its intention of withdrawing the three general licences to understand the arguments and implications of conceding. Natural England has also discussed with Defra its plans for urgent interim measures as a consequence of the legal challenge, as well as the longer term review of general and class licences.