§ 107. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what discussions he has had with the International Committee for Bird Preservation, with a view to the protection of wild birds from bombing operations during the moulting season; and if he will make a statement.
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Mr. WardMy noble Friend and I have considered with the British section of this Committee what can be done to minimise the danger to sheld-duck on the Cuxhaven Bombing Range, off the north-west coast of Germany, during the moulting season, when the birds cannot fly. During the next moulting season, only practice bombs will be dropped. These contain no explosive other than a small charge to set off a smoke marker. The Royal Air Force will co-operate with ornithologists, under arrangements to be made with the British section of the Committee, to inspect the range both before and after bombing, to establish the effect on the sheld-duck. I have every hope that as the result of these measures we shall find that the species has been able to moult without being seriously molested.