§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will give further advice to farmers as to the best technique for destroying sparrows, as some people have had only poor success with traps;
(2) what further advice he will give to farmers to help them keep down the number of sparrows, other than shooting or using sparrow traps, as these are now doing even greater damage to farm crops than tits or bullfinches.
§ Mr. John HareI am advised that shooting or trapping are the only methods of control that can be recommended. My pests officers are available to advise on the best technique for either method.
§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he will take to prosecute the campaign against pigeons, which do such widespread damage to crops.
§ Mr. John HareMethods of control which would supplement shooting have been under investigation over the past few years. Of these, systematic nest destruction during two short periods of the year appears to hold out most promise for dealing with the pigeon population which is at present doing grave damage to crops. Extended field trials will be carried out this year in the eastern counties. When these have been completed I hope it will be possible to provide further information to farmers.