§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the results of the inquiry carried out by his Department into the large number of starlings that have died on a Doncaster housing estate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesThe incident was reported by local residents on 1 July. It was investigated the same day by an official of the Department together with an environmental health officer from Doncaster metropolitan borough. More than 300 young starlings were found dead. Following enquiries and discussions with other experts, including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, it94W was concluded that the immature birds probably died as a result of hypothermia caused by the strong cold winds and heavy rain on the previous night and during the morning.