§ 2.5 p.m.
THE EARL OF HADDINGTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in view of the fact that agreement has now been reached between the owners and occupiers of agricultural land, and the sporting interests involved, they will introduce legislation for the better control and protection of red deer in Scotland, including provision for a close season.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD STRATHCLYDE)My Lords, last August I met representatives of the interested organisations who had submitted a joint report on the conservation and control of deer in Scotland. Our discussion cleared up some of the difficulties raised by the report, but further consideration will be necessary before the Government can decide whether to introduce legislation on the subject.
THE EARL OF HADDINGTONMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, I must say that I feel it is extremely disappointing, in view of the recently published report of the Nature Conservancy, and of the fact that Britain is the only civilised country in Europe which has not a close season for deer; even the Iron Curtain countries have a close season for deer. May I ask whether Her Majesty's Government will give their support to a Private Member's Bill, if it is drafted on the lines of the agreed solution which was submitted to the Secretary of State in October, 1956?
§ LORD STRATHCLYDEMy Lords, that is, of course, another question.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, might I ask the noble Lord whether he can indicate to the House the nature of the still outstanding difficulties to which he has referred?
§ LORD STRATHCLYDEMy Lords, there are a number of considerations still to be taken into account before Her Majesty's Government can proceed.
§ LORD MATHERSMy Lords, is the noble Lord the Minister aware that the desire for some development in this direction is great and growing?
§ LORD STRATHCLYDEMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government are aware of that fact.
§ LORD FORBESMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that considerable night poaching of deer, accompanied by much cruelty, is going on in Scotland because there is in Scotland no law to prevent people from poaching deer at night? In view of this situation, will the noble Lord take a more sympathetic view of legislation?
§ LORD STRATHCLYDEMy Lords, I am aware of that fact.
The MARQUESS OF WILLINGDONMy Lords, is the Minister aware of the great debt of gratitude that all lovers of wild life owe to the noble Earl the Leader of the House for his sound advice and patience in this matter, and will the Minister now use his good offices to bring this hitherto sad state of affairs to a happy, humanitarian and much more satisfactory conclusion?
§ LORD STRATHCLYDEMy Lords, I have taken note of what the noble Marquess has said.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, could the noble Lord give the House any indication at all of when further discussions will be held, and when they will be acted upon?
§ LORD STRATHCLYDEMy Lords, I do not know whether it is a matter for further discussion. There are certain considerations which Her Majesty's Government have to take into account. In any case, I would tell the noble Viscount that, in view of the state of the Government's programme, it is quite improbable that there can be any legislation during the present Session.