§ 46. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture what have been the results of the experiments which have been made 1450 to reduce the number of starlings in Trafalgar Square; what methods have been used; and how far the bird population has been reduced.
§ Sir T. DugdaleCage traps have been used in these experiments, so far, I fear, with negligible results. But final conclusions have not yet been reached.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the Minister aware that about 40,000 starlings find accommodation each night in Trafalgar Square; that one starling has been caught, and that one fell in by accident? Would the right hon. Gentleman give detailed consideration to a further inexpensive experiment, and adopt the time-honoured method of putting salt on their tails?
§ Sir T. DugdaleI am not responsible by statute for the starlings, but I agree that present experiments have been ineffective. It would appear that starlings are more easily trapped on their feeding grounds and not where they go to roost.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWill the Minister stop fooling round with the West End of London and concentrate on the British countryside?