§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his Department has any record of the serious destruction of bird life in Ireland; if he can say what is the extent of the trade done in exporting song birds; is he aware of the cruel practices of bird-catchers in killing all hen birds when in quest of the song bird species goldfinch; and will his Department take any steps in the matter?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe Department arc not charged with the administration of the Wild Birds Protection Acts, and they have no information on the matters referred to in this question. I understand that these Acts are at present the subject of inquiry by a Departmental Committee appointed by the Home Secretary.