HL Deb 04 May 1989 vol 507 cc258-9

3.10 p.m.

Lord Stanley of Alderley asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will resist any attempts to make it more difficult to control pests listed in Part II, Schedule 2, of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, in particular magpies and carrion crows.

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords, we have no intention at present of altering the provisions relating to species listed in Schedule 2 Part II of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Lord Stanley of Alderley

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Is it true that the Commission believe that our pest schedule, as I call it, is contrary to their birds directive? Is my noble friend aware that he would have the wholehearted support of every shepherd, and indeed of every noble Lord who took an interest in drawing up that schedule in the 1981 Act, if he strongly resisted such a move?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I am very well aware of the support from my noble friend and those who live in the countryside. However, anyone who is remotely concerned with nature and bird life would wish to see the continuation of a pest schedule.

Lord John-Mackie

My Lords, with reference to the concern for bird life, the magpie is the biggest possible killer of bird life.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I hope that the noble Lord speaks for all the Opposition.

Lord Winstanley

My Lords, I am a wholly committed supporter of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Does the noble Earl agree that it was not the intention of that Act that magpies should be permitted without let or hindrance to steal chicks and eggs from the nests of small birds which others of us have striven hard and long to protect and preserve? While I am not in favour of capital punishment for theft in general, should not an exception be made for the thieving and murderous magpie?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, an exception is made for the magpie. I am grateful for the support of the noble Lord, and I hope that of his party.

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that when the noble Lord, Lord Winstanley, refers to the Commission, he is not referring to the Countryside Commission which I know is wholeheartedly against the common magpie? I believe that he refers to the European Commission. Might it be worth while for my noble friend to hire a coach and to take the Commissioners up and down the motorways? They will then have an idea of the preponderance of these horrible magpies which live all over the land.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, an invitation has been offered by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State to the new Commissioner and to Mr. Brinkhorst to come and see some of the appalling damage that these pests do.