HC Deb 27 April 1978 vol 948 cc684-5W
Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will discontinue the practice of severing the wings from certain ducks and seabirds in the Royal Parks as a means of preventing the birds from leaving the parks; and if he will pursue a more humane policy of retaining only those birds and ducks whose natural habitat is similar to their park environment.

Mr. Marks

No. Severing the wings is a very harsh term for the method used in the Royal Parks and elsewhere to prevent selected uncaged birds from flying away: the pinion, or end section of the wing is removed when the bird is a few days old to prevent full flight. At this stage the wing consists of soft tissue, so there is minimal pain.

The birds in the Royal Parks collections are carefully selected not only for their ornamental and educational value but for their acceptability of the environmental conditions.

My right hon. Friend is advised on the encouragement of bird life in the Royal Parks and its conservation by a distinguished committee of experts who approve of the pinioning which is carried out in the parks.