§ 36. Sir J. Lucasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fact that many British birds are protected by law and no such protection is given to any British mammal, he will take the necessary steps to introduce a close season for deer with the proviso that, in the event of crop damage, special shooting permits could be given by the local magistrates.
§ Mr. R. A. Butler:I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the hunting of deer on Exmoor. I understand that a close season is already observed by the Staghounds.