Sir J. D. REESasked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to introduce legislation to protect snipe and woodcock from and after the 1st February, inasmuch as they are not now protected from that date, unless the county council concerned chooses, as many do not, to protect these game birds under the Wild Birds Protection Acts?
§ Mr. SHORTTA Bill to give effect to the recommendations of the recent Departmental Committee on the Protection of Wild Birds is in preparation, and I hope it may be possible to introduce it this Session. One of the recommendations was that the close time for woodcock should run from the 1st February, and it is proposed to include this in the Bill. The Committee did not make a similar recommendation as to snipe, but I will consult the Wild Birds Advisory Committee on the point.