§ 34. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the goldfinch species of birds is now almost extinct in this country; and whether the information at his disposal indicates that the Bird Protection Acts are being efficiently enforced?
§ Sir S. HoareI am not aware of any grounds for the suggestion that the goldfinch is almost extinct in this country. Orders under the Wild Birds Protection Acts protecting the bird during the whole of the year are in force in the majority of counties in England and Wales, while the taking of the bird for the purposes of sale alive is prohibited by the Protection of Birds Act, 1933. My information is that the goldfinch is a common species in England and Wales and that there has been no diminution in its numbers in recent years. As regards the second part of the question, I have no reason to believe that there is any general failure to enforce the law as to the protection of wild birds.