§ 3. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries are made and what criteria applied when applications for the keeping of falcons are considered by his Department.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Lane)Applications for licences to import birds of prey, or to take them from the wild, are considered in consultation with my 1601 right hon. Friend's Advisory Committee on the Protection of Birds. Factors taken into account include the availability of the particular species and the expertise of or available to the applicant.
§ Mr. HardyI am grateful for that information. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a number of anomalies have arisen as individuals who possess suitable skills and can offer proper accommodation have been refused licences, whilst others no doubt inspired by the film "Kes", have been given licences despite the fact that they have neither the necessary skills nor suitable accommodation available?
§ Mr. LaneI have no evidence that the present arrangements are seriously wrong, but if the hon. Gentleman will send me details of cases I will certainly look into them.