§ 14. Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to issue a consultation paper on the permitted days for clay pigeon shooting under the General Development Order 1988.
§ Mr. HowardBefore Christmas.
§ Mr. BellinghamIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that, if the order goes through, hundreds of small clay pigeon clubs will go out of business? If he further aware that they were not consulted and are outraged? Surely this is no way in which to treat a responsible and law-abiding sector of the community. The Government are trying to 906 encourage alternative land uses, so surely it makes no sense to push this policy through in contradiction of that aim.
§ Mr. HowardI am fully aware of the points that my hon. Friend makes and they will be given full weight in the consultation process to which his original question referred.
§ Sir Hector MonroDoes my hon. and learned Friend accept that, if consultations are to go through quickly, he must try to bring in an amending order by, say, 1 March? If he does not, clay pigeon shooting clubs cannot plan their season and many individuals will not be able to use clay pigeon traps to practise in fields. Is he aware that there is a voluntary code of practice, which is approved by his Department, to reduce noise and any form of local inconvenience? He must act very speedily indeed.
§ Mr. HowardI am aware of the code of practice to which my hon. Friend refers. We shall do what we can to reach a speedy conclusion of this matter.