§ 23. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes taking to preserve the rook from extinction in view of the important contribution it makes to controlling pestiferous grubs.
§ Mr. John MackieNone, Sir. There is no evidence that the rook is in any danger of extinction. It is widely distributed in large numbers, and breeds in all counties of Britain.
§ Mr. RankinIs my hon. Friend aware that during the past year I have seen two rookeries in Warwickshire completely destroyed because, as I believe, many farmers blame the rook for the sins of the crow—[Interruption.] Of course they do: they do not know the difference. Will he look again at this problem?
§ Mr. MackieI presume that my hon. Friend knows the old country saying that if one sees one rook it is a crow, and that if one sees a lot of crows they are rooks. But I do not think that we need worry unduly. I do not suggest that my hon. Friend's story about the rookeries in Warwickshire is not correct, but experience shows that rooks do other damage and eat other things than crop pests. There may be a particular reason for destruction of these two rookeries, but if my hon. Friend has any particulars to give me I shall be delighted to look into the matter.