HC Deb 04 February 1969 vol 777 cc72-3W
Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total cost involved in trials in Kelso last summer in the use of stupefying baits to control woodpigeons;

(2) over how many days the trials in Kelso, involving the use of stupefying baits to control woodpigeons, took place last summer; and what were the number of woodpigeons taken thereby;

(3) what conditions were contained in the licences which were issued to farmers in Kelso last year to enable them to conduct trials of stupefying baits to control woodpigeons; and to what extent these conditions were observed;

(4) what subsidiary instructions were given to farmers in Kelso last year who were conducting trials of stupefying bait, other than those instructions contained in the licences; and to what extent these subsidiary instructions were complied with.

Mr. Ross

The cost to my Department of the trials was approximately £700.

The trials lasted from 7th March to 26th April. Operations were interrupted from time to time by adverse weather conditions. Two hundred and ninety woodpigeons were taken in the course of the trials.

Licences were subject to conditions relating to the stupefying substance to be used, the person to lay the stupefying substance, notification to my Department of the laying of the stupefying substance, inspection of sites, collection and humane killing of woodpigeons and certain other harmful birds, the tending and release of birds other than specified harmful birds, disposal of carcases, and the obtaining of agreement to the laying of the stupefying substance from other persons with a relevant interest in the land.

In addition the licences reserved my right to disallow the laying of the stupefying substance at any site and to impose any further conditions I might deem necessary.

The trials were subject to close supervision by officers of my Department, who made available to the licensees a note providing technical guidance on the conduct of the operations.

The licensees co-operated fully with my Department, and I am satisfied that the trials were properly conducted.