§ 2.38 p.m.
The Earl of ARRANMy 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 how many birds in transit die every day at Heathrow Airport.
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, there are no official statistics about deaths of birds at Heathrow Airport. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have estimated that over the last few years the average mortality rate of birds in transit which pass through the RSPCA hostel at the airport has been about 2.4 per cent.
The Earl of ARRANMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask him whether Her Majesty's Government are aware that, according to the evidence given by an ornithologist before the Australian House of Representatives Conservation Committee, 500 imported birds are said to die each day on arrival at Heathrow? Is the noble Lord further aware that this is said to be due to inadequate health regulations at London Airport?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, I was not aware of that statistic, although I have tried hard to read all the background information on this matter. I remember well the Question that I was asked in May of this year about the report called Heaven in a Rage, which I must say aroused my anger at the time, as no doubt it did that of the noble Earl. I think the situation is improving. I have 133 taken great care in going through the recommendations of that report and I think in almost all cases the recommendations have either been implemented or are about to be implemented. When the health restrictions are imposed, as they will be early next year, I hope the total number of birds coming into Heathrow will be considerably diminished, some say by about one-half.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, can the Minister say what 2.4 per cent. represent in numbers?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, I am dependent upon figures given by the Royal Society and that is the figure which they quoted. I have no doubt the figure given by the noble Earl is about right.