HL Deb 09 April 1963 vol 248 cc917-8

2.44 p.m.

LORD HURCOMB

My Lords, I beg leave 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 they are yet able to make any statement as to the repeal of the orders which legalise the taking or destroying of the eggs of the skylark, the robin, the linnet, the song thrush and certain other birds.]

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary is disposed to accept the advice he has received from the Advisory Committee on the Protection of Birds for England and Wales that the order should be revoked as an emergency measure; but before he can take a final decision, he is required by Statute to give local authorities and other parsons affected an opportunity to submit objections or representations. This he is doing as a matter of urgency. The position in Scotland is under consideration.

LORD HURCOMB

My Lords, in thanking the noble Earl for his reply, may I also thank the Home Secretary for his disposition to revoke the order? May I remind the noble Earl that I pointed out on February 14 that the birds particularly concerned were early nesters, and were themselves oblivious of all the difficulties of the administrative machinery which it is necessary to go through to meet their necessities.

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, I am sure my right honourable friend is well aware of the birds' difficulties in this matter, and that they are not capable of reading Hansard. Nevertheless, I should like to take this opportunity of informing my noble friend that it is hoped, subject to such representations as may be received, it will be possible to make an order soon after Easter.

THE DUKE OF ATHOLL

My Lords, when the position in Scotland is being determined, will the local authorities up there have to be consulted afterwards, or are they being consulted at this moment in order to determine the position?

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, surprisingly enough, I am able to reassure my noble friend on this point. The authorities in Scotland are being consulted now.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the views of the gardeners of England do not necessarily coincide with those of the noble Lord, Lord Hurcomb, on this matter?

EARL JELLICOE

It is precisely for that reason that the various bodies like the County Councils Association and the National Farmers' Union are being consulted about my right honourable friend's disposition in this matter.

LORD HURCOMB

My Lords, while I do not wish to enter into any argument, I cannot conceive any gardener in this country who objects to a linnet, robin or wren, or even a song thrush, in his garden.

LORD HAWKE

They do not object to one or two, but when they come in hordes they can remove the entire fruit crop.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, do not the gardeners appear to have the predatory birds on their side?