HC Deb 24 January 1940 vol 356 c557
14. Mr. J. Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Air what complaints he has received about losses of homing pigeons on service, due to their being shot down other than by enemy action and, in particular, from the Bircham Newton aerodrome authorities?

The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood)

Two reports, one of which came from the Royal Air Force Station at Bircham Newton in November last, have been received of the shooting of pigeons on Royal Air Force service. The need for care to avoid shooting homing pigeons has already been emphasised in broadcasts and I am arranging for further publicity to be given to this matter.

Mr. Morgan

Will the right hon. Gentleman suggest to his right hon. arid gallant Friend the Minister of Agriculture that when his Department is sending out fresh notices about the shooting of wood pigeons they should have a paragraph or two about this particular matter, because it is important at the present time?

Sir K. Wood

Yes, Sir. I will gladly confer with my right hon. and gallant Friend.