HC Deb 04 November 1912 vol 43 cc871-2W
Mr. GEORGE GREENWOOD

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received from the Home Secretary a copy of a correspondence which has recently passed between the Home Office and the honorary secretary of the Humanitarian League, and a Member of this House, on behalf of the signatories of a petition lately presented to the King, signed by, amongst others, some thirty-five Members of this House, concerning the hunting of deer in the New Forest; whether he has considered such correspondence; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action thereon?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have received a copy of the correspondence to which the hon. Member refers, and hope to send him a reply very shortly.

Mr. G. GREENWOOD

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that deer from Richmond Park and other Royal parks are occasionally sold or given to masters of deerhounds in Buckinghamshire, or other counties for the purpose of being hunted; and, if so, whether an instance of this recently occurred when a buck from Richmond Park, after being chased and captured by a number of mounted men, was sent away for such purpose; and whether such a practice meets with his sanction?

Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN

Some red deer have from time to time been sold from Richmond and Bushey Parks to masters of staghounds, but the First Commissioner has issued instructions that no deer are to be sold in the future for the purpose of any kind of sport.