HC Deb 16 June 1967 vol 748 cc998-1000

Not amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.

3.8 p.m.

Mr. Gordon Campbell (Moray and Nairn)

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

I will be very brief. This Bill makes some changes in the 1959 Act and they are all generally considered to be improvements.

There are four purposes of the Bill. First, to make it clear that the Red Deer Commission has the power of entry on to land in order to undertake a census of deer; secondly, to help prevent the suffering of deer calves if their mothers are killed; thirdly, to give certain assistance to farmers in dealing with marauding deer; and, fourthly, to give the Secretary of State power to sanction the taking or killing of any kind of deer in a close season for a scientific purpose.

These are different aspects of the conservation and, at the same time, protection of farmland concerning deer. I am glad to say that the provisions all seem to be generally welcomed, both outside and within the House.

The Bill was introduced in another place by the Duke of Atholl, and I pay tribute to him for the very able way in which he took it through its first stages of consideration in the other place.

I also thank the Scottish Office, which has been very helpful with its assistance in the passage of this Bill.

Mr. Nicholas Ridley (Cirencester and Tewkesbury)

Is English legislation about deer now the same as Scottish legislation, or is there a discrepancy between the two?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman cannot answer that question. This is a Bill about Scotland.

Mr. Campbell

You have answered the point for me, Mr. Speaker.

This Bill relates entirely to Scotland, and my understanding is that the legislation in Scotland is considerably different from England and will continue to be after this Bill, as I hope, is passed.

3.10 p.m.

The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Dr. J. Dickson Mabon)

I do not propose to detain the House more than a few moments. I congratulate the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. G. Campbell) on the successful passage of the Bill in this House and I congratulate his noble Friend in another place for piloting the Measure so successfuly through its various stages.

The Bill is welcomed by all concerned and the Red Deer Commission is grateful that we have added to the present law relating to red deer in Scotland. We have done a good job and I congratulate the hon. Gentleman.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed, without Amendment.