asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make a statement about the efforts being made to cope with the excessive number of starlings.

I have now consulted my colleagues concerned, and I am arranging, in collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, for immediate discussion on the problem with representatives of the National Farmers' Union, the Assocation of Municipal Corporations and the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee. In the light of this examination we will then consider whether any action can be taken that is likely to be effective.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend take care not to go too far in this direction, as starlings are an integral part of London life? May I suggest that perhaps a statue of my right hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, East (Sir H. Williams), might do something to scare the starlings?

Can the Minister tell us what number of starlings constitutes an excessive number?

That is a rather hypothetical question.

But if the Minister proposes to take action in conjunction with his officials to deal with the excessive number of starlings, surely he should know what constitutes an excessive number?

First we should be sure exactly what the problem is. I think it is a complicated one.