§ 50. Mr. Anthony Greenwoodasked the Minister of Agriculture for what purpose the Forestry Commission is exterminating male deer in Cannock Chase; and if he will consult with the Lord President of the Council with a view to their preservation, by the Nature Conservancy.
Mr. T. WilliamsThe Forestry Commission is not exterminating male deer in Canock Chase, and I do not think the suggested consultation would serve any useful purpose.
§ Mr. GreenwoodWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that very welcome reply, may I ask him to investigate the statement attributed to the local officer of the Forestry Commission in May, that he had given an order that every buck was to be shot at short notice?
Mr. WilliamsI am not aware of that, but I can assure him that in no case are deer shot by Forestry Commission officers outside their forests, and inside their forests it is done only if the deer become a danger to trees recently planted.