HC Deb 15 May 1956 vol 552 cc1811-2
29. Mr. Willis

asked 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. Stuart

I 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. Willis

Does 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. Stuart

The 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-Gray

Will 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?