§ 56. Mr. Championasked the Secretary of State for the Home Deartment whether he will take steps to institute a close season appropriate to each species of deer in England and Wales, subject to the exception, in the case of deer actually causing damage, of deer killed in accordance with Sections 98 to 101 of the Agriculture Act, 1947.
§ Mr. Simon:I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 11th April to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, South (Sir J. Lucas) about deer hunting on Exmoor. A close season is, I understand, also observed by the hounds who hunt deer in the New Forest. My right hon. Friend is informed by the Forestry Commission that it is its practice not to shoot deer during the breeding season unless circumstances make it essential. The Committee on Cruelty to Wild Animals made no recommendation about a close season, and my right hon. Friend has no information that would justify the introduction by the Government of legislation to impose one.