HC Deb 14 October 1952 vol 505 cc30-1
54. Mr. Hurd

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will ensure that the Nature Conservancy will be represented as the conference to be held by the British Field Sports Society on 21st October to consider the effects of toxic weed sprays and insecticides on game birds and other wild life.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Hugh Molson)

No, Sir. The Nature Conservancy are, however, already in touch with the British Field Sports Society about the subject matter of the conference.

Mr. Hurd

As there is widespread anxiety about the effect on wild life of these toxic sprays which are so widely used, would it not be well for the Government's scientific organisation—the Nature Conservancy—to send observers to this conference so that they have first-hand information?

Mr. Molson

The Nature Conservancy were among the bodies invited by the British Field Sports Society to attend this conference; but as, with the sole exception of the Nature Conservancy, all those invited are voluntary bodies, it was obviously undesirable that the Conservancy should themselves be a party to the proceedings. The Conservancy, however, offered to discuss the subject matter of the conference, either before or after the conference, with such representatives as the British Field Sports Society might choose to appoint. This offer was accepted.