HC Deb 12 May 1970 vol 801 cc1049-51
21. Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works why, in view of the City of Westminster's large expenditure on anti-pigeon activities, he continues to licence bird-food sellers in central London.

Mr. Loughlin

We do not consider that the modest arrangements in Trafalgar Square have any significant effect on the pigeon problem.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Will the hon. Gentleman consult the Department of Health and Social Security and the Greater London Council, since the Government are unable to protect the ratepayers of London even from this form of chemical warfare, and do something about the growing pollution and danger to health which thousands of people in the area believe to be going on?

Mr. Loughlin

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman is so carried away by his own eloquence because, unfortunately for him, the two licensees to sell bird food in Trafalgar Square are both disabled ex-Servicemen. One was licensed ten years ago and the other eight years ago. It was nothing to do with this Government. He had better direct his attention to his right hon. Friends.

Mr. Maclennan rose

Mr. Dodds-Parker rose

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Maclennan.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

On a point of order—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Mr. Maclennan.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I rose to a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I understand the hon. Gentleman's enthusiasm for pigeons but I have called the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan).

Mr. Dodds-Parker

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the abusive—

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

— reply of the hon. Member the Parliamentary Secretary—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The elementary rule of order is that when Mr. Speaker is on his feet an hon. Member sits down. The hon. Gentleman will get his point of order in a moment. Mr. Maclennan.

Mr. Maclennan

Will my hon. Friend consider drawing the attention of the devotees of hare coursing to the greater attractions of the ancient sport of bird liming? Perhaps we could then get them off the moors and into London where they could do something.

Mr. Loughlin

What we are dealing with here is the problem of pigeons in Trafalgar Square. There is a health problem, quite apart from the problem of aesthetics. But I do not think that the withdrawing of licences to sell bird food would improve the situation, because we had the same problem before the licences were issued. It would be extremely difficult to stop the general public from feeding the pigeons in any case.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the abusive reply of the Parliamentary Secretary—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must give notice in the conventional way.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

In the conventional way then, whatever the conventional way is to reply to an abusive and irrelevant answer by a Minister, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment.