§ Mr. KIRKWOODasked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can see his way to introduce legislation for the purpose of excluding starlings from the Wild Birds Protection Act in those districts where it is clearly shown that they cause excessive damage to farmers and horticulturists?
§ Mr. McKENNANo legislation is necessary. Under Section 9 of the Wild Birds Protection Act, 1880, the Secretary of State may, on application being made by a local authority, by order deprive any wild bird of protection in a particular county or county borough. This has been done in some counties in the case, for example, of the house sparrow and the 1167W wood pigeon; but I cannot find that any application has been made in recent years for the starling to be treated in this way. I am prepared to consider any request that may be made by any county council (with whom the initiative rests) if valid reasons such as are indicated in the question can foe established.