§ 5. Mr. GEORGE GREENWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether his attention has been called to the wholesale destruction of swallows and other British migrants in the South of France and Italy; and whether, in view of their utility to agriculture and of the increase of insect pests in this country, he will communicate with the Governments concerned to see if some international steps can be taken for the protection of these birds?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)I am aware that numbers of insect-eating birds are killed abroad, but I understand that the extent, to which these birds are useful to agriculture remains an open question, and that, moreover, their destruction cannot be proved to have produced an increase of insect pests in this 3143 country. The International Agricultural Institute are at present investigating the whole question, and it is hoped that they will, where necessary, be able to devise remedies for the present state of things. In these circumstances His Majesty's Government do not propose to approach foreign Governments on the subject ac present.