§ Mr. HOLTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has made or intends to make any Order under the Defence of the Realm Act purporting to extend the season in which black game may be legally killed?
§ Mr. MUNROThe Board of Agriculture for Scotland have already extended the period for shooting black game by advancing the date for commencement, and have now received my authority to the issue of an Order further extending the season for killing grouse and black game from 10th December to 20th January next.
Sir L. HARMSWORTHasked the Secretary for Scotland the reasons which have caused him to refuse to issue an Order giving farmers and crofters the right to destroy winged game engaged in damaging or consuming crops on their holdings; and whether, in the interest of the conservation of food, he will reconsider his decision in the matter and thus place winged game in the position of deer and rabbits in this respect?
§ Mr. MUNROIt is not the case that sanction to the issue of an Order enabling farmers to destroy winged game which are damaging or consuming crops on their holdings has been withheld. I refer my hon. Friend to the Winged Game (Scotland) Order, 1918, which authorises district agricultural executive committees, in cases where they are satisfied that damage is 2523W being done to corn crops either standing or in stook or in stack, to give permission to the farmers concerned to shoot or snare grouse, black game, and pheasants. The power to destroy winged game is not conferred on farmers unconditionally, as in the case of deer and rabbits, but I am not satisfied that any hardship has resulted.