Question
I thank the Minister for that rather appalling reply. Does he not agree with his noble friend Lord Rooker, whom I am delighted to see in his place, who advised on 3 July 2007 at col. GC 97 that game licences are—or, in the case of England and Wales, were—counterproductive in revenue terms? Would he further agree with his noble friend that, ""we do not want any cross-border issues like this"?—[Official Report, 3/7/07; col. GC 99.]" Could I urge the Minister to do all that he can to persuade his opposite numbers in Edinburgh that this is a complete nonsense?
Answer
My Lords, the noble Lord can be appalled by the Answer only if he is opposed to the devolution settlement. This is a matter for Scotland. Of course I always agree with my noble friend Lord Rooker, particularly in his view on the licence, which I recall him on that occasion saying was introduced to ensure that working people could not shoot because of the cost involved. The cost involved at that time was £6—in present day values, it would be £1,500—and the cost now is still £6. The Scottish Executive are consulting on a draft wildlife Bill and intend to include in it the provisions that we have already enacted in England and Wales.