§ 64. Major CHAPPLEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in the national food emergency, he will consider the desirability of extending the period to a date beyond 15th April during which wild ducks' eggs and lapwings' and terns' eggs may be gathered on the moors of Scotland?
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Mr. Morison)My right hon. Friend has considered this subject, in consultation with the Ministry of Food and other Departments. The conclusion reached was that any addition to the food supply which might thus be secured would not be substantial enough to justify the destruction of bird life involved, especially as the protection of the lapwing is desirable in the interests of agriculture, because it destroys many insect pests. I may add that the Board of Agriculture for Scotland are taking steps to organise throughout the country the collection for food of the eggs of various species of gull which can be effected without injury to agricultural interests.