§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture 744W whether approximate figures are available as to the annual slaughter of singing birds in Great Britain; and whether steps can be taken to make illegal at any period of the year and throughout the country the destruction of any bird which comes under this category?
§ Mr. SHORTTMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. There are no figures available, so far as I am aware, of the number of birds killed annually in Great Britain. As regards the second part of the Question, the whole subject of the protection of wild birds has recently been reviewed by a representative Committee. In their Report, which was issued last year, the Committee have made a number of recommendations for the improvement of the existing law. I would refer the hon. Member in particular to paragraphs 4 and 59 to 62 of the Report. The question of giving effect to the proposals of the Committee will be considered at the first opportunity.