§ 37 and 43. Sir J. Lucasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to extend the season for shooting cock pheasants only, for a short period, in view of the fact that shooting has been impossible in January in many districts owing to the weather, and that too many cock pheasants will do damage to agriculture;
(2) whether, in the interests of agriculture, he will allow magistrates reasonable discretion if landowners, gamekeepers or authorised persons apply for an extension of time to kill off surplus cock pheasants, where shooting has been impossible owing to snow, in view of the fact that this was an old custom with other game.
§ Mr. WoodhouseThe close season for game is fixed by the Game Laws, and my right hon. Friend has no power to alter it or to give directions to the courts in relation to the enforcement of the laws. The shooting of game during the close season is lawful only where my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has served a notice under the Agriculture Act, 1947, requiring a person to kill and take birds in order to prevent damage.