§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the value to farmers of the peewit or lapwing in reducing the number of snails, wireworms, beetles, aphides, and the larwe of various insects destructive of roots, cereal crops, and pasture, and of the large and increasing exportation from this country to the United States of the eggs of these birds, he would encourage all the county councils to follow the example of the Gloucester-shire County Council in issuing an order for the protection of this rapidly decreasing bird and its eggs throughout the year?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe President of the Local Government Board has asked me to reply to this question. I have recently received a numerously signed petition representing that a large trade is done in the exportation of lapwings to the United States, and I am consulting the Board of Agriculture in the matter. I have not received any similar representations as to the exportation of the eggs of the lapwing. Inquiries instituted by the Board of Agriculture in 1909 as to the alleged diminution in the numbers of the lapwing in this country did not show any very marked decrease, and in some districts an increase was reported. It rests with the respective county councils to apply to me for an Order protecting the bird and its eggs if they consider that such an Order is called for in their area. Orders for this purpose have been made in several counties, and any application will receive careful and sympathetic consideration.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs it not the fact that within the last few years this trade in peewit and lapwing eggs has immensely increased?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI hope the publicity given to the subject by the question and answer will lead county councils to apply the Order. The power rests with them.