§ 17. Mr. O. LEWISasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider whether steps can be taken to ensure that now that the island of St. Kilda is no longer inhabited it is preserved as a sanctuary for wild birds?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. William Adamson)I have received a communication from the proprietor of St. Kilda indicating that it is his desire that bird-life on the island should be fully preserved, and I am in sympathy with that object. I do 2392 not, however, think that it is practicable for the Government to undertake any scheme for the establishment of a sanctuary, under regulation, in the island, which, as I have already indicated, is private property.
Earl WINTERTONHas the right hon. Gentleman gone into the matter of whether it would be possible to provide some form of police protection, at the time when the steamers visit the island, in order to prevent the indiscriminate slaughter of birds which appears to have been going on since the island was vacated?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI am not aware that there has been any indiscriminate slaughter of birds since the island was vacated.
Earl WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the threatened destruction of two species, or at least one species, peculiar to the island; has he read the correspondence which has appeared on the subject, and will he give sympathetic consideration to a matter which is in no sense a party matter?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI have already indicated my sympathy.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider nationalising St. Kilda for the wild men of his own party?