asked the Minister of State for Defence what work was done by his Department in the last year on the dangers of bird strike to aircraft.

The answer, I am afraid, is rather long.

Two field studies of bird habits were completed and a third started. Specific advice and instructions on bird-scaring and control have been sent to flying units, together with new information about areas of likely bird concentration. We have taken advantage of the advice and instructional courses available from professional authorities and have been represented at international meetings. Finally there have been studies of new aircraft design to ensure that the latest requirements for resistance to bird impact are incorporated.

What policy conclusions have come out of the first two studies?

They are still being examined.