§ 17. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet considered the agreed plan for deer conservation and control which was submitted to him in October, 1956, by the Nature Conservancy and other interested parties; and if he will introduce a comprehensive Bill which will not only protect red deer in Scotland but will also protect agriculture.
§ Lord John HopeI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 16th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, East (Sir J. Henderson-Stewart). I am sending him a copy.
§ Sir D. RobertsonIs it not the case that the reply indicates that nine precious months have been wasted, that all the different divergent views have been agreed upon and that the meeting referred to is to take place during the long Recess? When will Parliament have an opportunity of getting down to this matter, because the slaughter of the hinds and their calves still goes on?
§ Lord John HopeI think the main point that the answer of my right hon. Friend revealed was that this meeting is to take place as soon as 7th August.