HC Deb 14 March 1917 vol 91 cc1078-9
89. Colonel BURN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will immediately consider the advisability of introducing a short Bill under the Ten-minute Rule making it legal to gather seagulls eggs in order that they may be used for food?

Captain BATHURST

I will confer with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary as to the desirability of modifying the Wild Birds Protection Act in the direction indicated. I may, perhaps, add that a great many seagulls' eggs are at present sold on the London and other markets under the name of plovers' eggs.

Colonel BURN

Will my hon. Friend attend to this at once, because the season for gathering seagulls eggs is only short and will soon be over?

Sir S. COLLINS

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to prosecute those that cause that deception?