§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Vice-Chamberlain of the Household whether the Lord Chamberlain, in deciding to greatly diminish the head of Royal swans on the Thames, has consulted representatives of Thames users and riparians other than those connected with the sport of fishing; and whether the maximum number decided on is the number of head of old birds for pairing each spring, or the head of swans in summer including the cygnets of the year.
§ THE VICE-CHAMBERLAIN OF THE HOUSEHOLD (Sir A. ACLAND-HOOD, Somersetshire, Wellington)The Lord Chamberlain has, with the approval of the King, decided to reduce the head of His Majesty's swans in the Thames by about one-half without consultation with representatives of Thames users and riparians. The maximum number decided on is the number of head of old birds for pairing each spring. The Vintners' Company intimate that they also are reducing their swans.