§ Mr. Hamlingasked the President of the Board of Trade what controls he places on the import of foreign birds; what facilities exist at airports for examining consignments of imported birds to ensure freedom from disease; what regulations exist to ensure that birds are properly packed and cared for during flight; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DarlingThe Board of Trade imposes no controls. No veterinary examination of imported birds is required 215W at airports, but an Order made under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950, requires certain live domestic fowl and other birds to be accompanied on import by a veterinary certificate. No statutory provisions govern the carriage of birds by air, but the International Air Transport Association is currently studying this international problem.
§ Mr. Hamlingasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT statistics relating to the import of foreign birds by number and value for each month during the last two years.
§ Mr. DarlingI regret the information is not available.