§ Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Agriculture what recommendations he has received from the committee dealing with the increase in the starling population in Trafalgar Square, Birmingham, Manchester and other places; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI did not set up a Committee to go into this problem but arranged for it to be examined in consultation with the Departments and interests most closely concerned. The conclusion has been reached that the best way of dealing with these local nuisances would be by trapping the starlings at the places where the nuisances occur. Tests will be carried out during the winter with a new humane cage trap to ascertain whether trapping is likely to offer a solution. Copies of the report are being placed in the Library.