THEFT OF RARE BIRDS' EGGS

Early day motion 1473, tabled 29 June 1998 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 52 members.

That this House notes that the theft of rare birds' eggs from nests in the United Kingdom has more than doubled in the last year and that this poses a serious threat to some species of bird, including the osprey, golden eagle, peregrine falcon and white tailed eagle, of which there are currently only 12 breeding pairs in the United Kingdom and yet two of these nests have been robbed already this year; believes that the United Kingdom needs a more effective deterrent than the current fines in order to prevent these eggs from being stolen such as prison sentences; and calls upon the Home Secretary and the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, who have recently undergone consultations with the Wildlife Law Enforcement Steering Group, to introduce legislation to bring in prison sentences as a matter of urgency.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Liberal Democrat 10, Conservative 4, Labour/Co-operative 2, UUP 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.