§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to give information regarding the experiments in the use of narcotics against wood-pigeons; the difficulties encountered; and the steps being taken to overcome them.
Mr. AmoryA number of large-scale field trials using various baits have been carried out in Lincolnshire this year, but very few pigeons have been narcotised. The main difficulty is to find baits that will attract the birds. Experiments are still proceeding and the feeding behaviour of the wood-pigeon is being studied.
§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to give further consideration to a bonus scheme to help in the campaign against wood pigeons, as in the case of grey squirrels.
Mr. AmoryThis was carefully considered at the end of last year and I am satisfied that the present cartridge scheme is to be preferred.