§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what date they first received a copy of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' Report Silent Death; whether they have sent the society their reaction to the report; what is their view of the evidence in the report about the widespread illegal poisoning of protected birds; and whether they will implement the recommendations made in the report to reduce the incidence of these criminal offences.
§ The Earl of AvonGovernment departments received the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' ReportSilent Death in March of last year. The recommendations in the report involve a number of Government departments and consultations have been taking place with them and the Nature Conservancy Council. However, the intense pressure of work on the Wildlife and Countryside Bill has delayed matters. The Government intend to respond as soon as possible.