§ 42. Mr. John MacLeodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the increasing anxiety for legislation to deal with the problem of deer poaching; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. MaclayI am aware of a demand for such legislation and I am considering it along with the other aspects of the problem of conserving and controlling deer.
§ Mr. MacLeodIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is no longer poaching for sport or for the pot, which I might be prepared to do myself, but that this is a case of commercial gangs going round and shooting deer indiscriminately with shotguns at night, to the danger of the public and in a most uncouth manner, leaving animals wounded and half dead? Is he aware that every decent man thinks something ought to be done about it now?
§ Mr. MaclayAs Secretary of State I think I must ignore my hon. Friend's personal confession, but I am extremely well aware of the point he made in the rest of his supplementary question.