HL Deb 12 March 1957 vol 202 cc433-5
THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND

My Lords, I beg to ask the 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 reported agreement between the Scottish Landowners Federation, the Nature Conservancy and the National Farmers' Union, the Close Season and Poaching Bill for deer will now go forward; and, if so, when it is expected that this action will be taken.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD STRATHCLYDE)

My Lords, since December 12, when I replied to my noble friend's previous question on this subject, the Nature Conservancy have provided sonic additional information to assist Her Majesty's Government in their consideration of the joint report. But I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND

My Lords, does that mean that the noble Lord will make a statement within the next three months?

LORD STRATHCLYDE

My Lords, I should not like to put a date on it. This is a somewhat complex matter, as my noble friend probably realises, and Her Majesty's Government will need to give full consideration to the whole subject.

THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND

May I take it that the matter will be considered within the next six months?

LORD STRATHCLYDE

My Lords, it will be considered without any unavoidable delay.

LORD KILLEARN

My Lords, has not this matter dragged on for a very long time, and is it not time something was done to end what is really a public scandal?

LORD STRATHCLYDE

My Lords, it may well be that a considerable period has elapsed since the matter was first introduced, but, as I have said, it is one of considerable complexity, and Her Majesty's Government, therefore, have to go very fully into it.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, is it not rather astonishing that this information, of which the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, tells us to-day, should be brought forward at such a late date? And can the noble Lord give the House an assurance thaw if and when Her Majesty's Government are prepared to introduce legislation they will introduce legislation in this House, so that opinion outside can be tested?

LORD STRATHCLYDE

My Lords, that is a matter which will be considered in clue course.

THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND

My Lords. I should like to remind the noble Lord who answered for Her Majesty's Government that on July 7, 1952, the Secretary of State for Scotland appointed a Committee of nine gentlemen to consider the desirability of introducing a close season for deer in Scotland. Prior to this date the Poaching of Deer (Scotland) Bill had been given its First Reading in this House. On the recommendation of the above Committee, certain progress with the Bill was delayed until it reported on the close season proposals. This Bill actually followed the Report of the Scott-Henderson Committee on Wild Animals, and it was in October, 1954, that the Committee reported its findings. Previously the Committee had agreed in principle to a close season, but three members voted for a reduction in the number of deer and for them to be brought under control before receiving statutory protection. There was much conjecture as to the number of deer in Scotland, no one appearing to have reliable evidence even of the number in my own forest—

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS

Order, Order!

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)

Is the noble Duke asking a Question?

THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND

My Lords, I should have asked: is the noble Lord aware of that?