14. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the result of his consultation with the Wild Birds Advisory Committee regarding the protection of snipe from 1st February; and when the Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Protection of Wild Birds is likely to be introduced?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOMEDEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)I find that the members of the English Advisory Committee are in favour of making the close time for the snipe in England begin on the 1st February in each year. I have not yet received the views of the Scottish Committee. The draft Bill has been referred to the Committee, and when I have received and had time to 2400 consider their observations I hope to be able to introduce it, but I cannot fix any date.