HC Deb 06 March 1963 vol 673 cc68-9W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many licences for the use of poison bait have been granted in each of the past three years.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Since 1960 only one licence for the use of poisoned baits has been issued under Section 10 of the Protection of Birds Act, 1954, and this was in 1961 to one of our scientific staff engaged in experimental laboratory work. In the same period we granted 38 licences to use stupefying bait.

Sir T. Beamish

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of the use of poison bait were reported in each of the past three years; and how many prosecutions followed.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

If my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to cases involving the illegal use of poisoned bait I would refer him to the reply I have given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, North (Sir Richard Glyn).

Sir Richard Glyn

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions there have been against persons using poison bait without a licence.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

I have no knowledge of any such prosecutions, but I understand that a summons, issued in 1960, for an alleged use of stupefying bait was subsequently withdrawn.