§ 29. Mr. Willisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent shooting in the Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve is restricted; and how many permits to shoot have been granted.
§ Mr. J. StuartI am informed by East Lothian County Council, which manages this reserve, that for the last shooting season it restricted the number of permits to fifteen— confined to persons resident in the county— allowing only mallard and wigeon to be shot: and that no shooting was allowed after 31st January.
§ Mr. WillisDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is rather a contradiction that there should be a specially privileged class created to shoot in what is nominally a conservancy?
§ Mr. StuartThe county council presumably take the view that those who live within the county should have the prior claim, and that if one overdid it the birds might be annihilated.
§ Major Anstruther-GrayWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in what has been a very controversial matter the present settlement has commended itself to most of the people concerned?