§ Clause 21, page 9, line 32, leave out ("sixty-one") and insert ("sixty-two")
§ 2.50 p.m.
§ LORD FORBESMy Lords, the date for the introduction of close seasons was amended in your Lordships' House from October 21, 1962, to 1961, against the advice of the Government. Since then the Government's views have not changed. The Government's views are still that a speedy reduction in the numbers of red deer where they are causing damage to agriculture or forestry is essential. Persons complying with control schemes would, of course, be exempted from close seasons. However, the Commission will not be able to launch control schemes for all areas affected in the first few years. This is bound to take time.
Secondly, the initial reduction necessary in the interests of agriculture and forestry is a considerable one, and in the Government's view two years is too short a time to allow for this to be done. The question might be asked whether the Bill, in bringing in the close seasons, will in any way alter the prevention of poaching. I can assure your Lordships that there is no need whatsoever to fall back on close season provisions to prosecute poachers. Poaching provisions stand by themselves and come into force one month after the Bill becomes law. I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.
§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Forbes.)
358THE DUKE OF ATHOLLMy Lords, I wonder whether the Government have considered any means of inspecting the very sub-standard venison which will undoubtedly come on to the market as a result of this severe reduction of deer during the out-of-season periods; and I wonder whether they have decided on any means of checking that this venison is not sold as being fit for human consumption when really it is fit only for dog meat.
§ LORD FORBESMy Lords, that is an administrative matter and will certainly be taken into acount.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.