§ Mr. Owenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the Northumberland and Durham 55W Wildfowlers' Association are anxious to know whether their representation for a public inquiry under the Protection of Birds Act, 1954, is being considered; what applications he has received from the Northumberland County Council for an order declaring the county a prescribed area; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Major Lloyd-George:The Northumberland County Council has applied to me for an order prohibiting the shooting of all wild birds on Sundays in the county. I am in communication with the county council about its application. If it presses it, before deciding whether or not to make an order, I must, as required by the Act, consult the Advisory Committee on the Protection of Birds for England and Wales, give notice of the proposed order, and consider any objections to it. At that stage, I shall be glad to consider whether a public inquiry is called for.