HC Deb 06 May 1963 vol 677 cc1-2
1. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now assessed the effectiveness of the use of narcotic baits for the purpose of controlling wood pigeons; and whether he will make a statement.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Scott-Hopkins)

I would refer the right hon. and learned Member to my reply on 27th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Mr. Farr).

Mr. Henderson

Did not the Minister say in that reply that the inquiries were not complete, and did not he suggest that a further statement would have to be made? Are we to take it that the inquiries into the effects of using this type of poison are still not complete? May we expect a statement in due course?

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

I said that the inquiries were not complete, in that the experiment; had to he curtailed because of the hard weather, and further experiments might be necessary to complete the inquiries at a later stage during the coming year.

Mr. Henderson

Are we to understand that the Ministry will undertake further experiments and that, meanwhile, it is satisfied that no danger to other forms of bird life arises from the use of this poison?

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

It is more than probable that further experiments will have to be, conducted this coming year owing to the bad weather which curtailed the last ones.