Chamber
Plenary, 07 Nov 2002
07 Nov 2002 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Seagulls <br />(Nuisance to Communities)
I agree with Christine Grahame's comments about litter louts. Before this, we had a debate on the quality of life in Scotland. One of the things that we all have to learn is to look after our rubbish a little bit better. In particular, the people who have a tendency to empty their pockets and plastic carry-out containers onto the streets should learn that better.
In effect, gulls can be litter louts. For example, on any Sunday morning in Ayr, fast-food operators put out many plastic bin bags. They end up in a state, because the gulls plummet into them and spread the litter, which creates a war-zone atmosphere around the town.
I make no apology for the fact that my feelings about gulls arise from my personal contacts with constituents. I congratulate David Mundell on his research on the subject. My research is based on the emotive comments that individuals have made to me. Year after year, an old lady was trapped in her home by nesting gulls and had no assistance. The babies in a young family could not be put in their prams because the family feared the gulls. Perhaps the mess on a young woman's washing line is not serious, but it affected her quality of life. Those are the effects of gulls.
The best way to deal with gulls is to try to clear their eggs at nesting time and to discourage them from breeding in urban communities. On a light-hearted note, it might be in local authorities' interest to take up the idea of which I was informed by a fairly knowledgeable fishing expert. In his younger days, he collected black-headed gulls' eggs, which found a market in Harrods. That is a new money-raising scheme for local authorities.
In effect, gulls can be litter louts. For example, on any Sunday morning in Ayr, fast-food operators put out many plastic bin bags. They end up in a state, because the gulls plummet into them and spread the litter, which creates a war-zone atmosphere around the town.
I make no apology for the fact that my feelings about gulls arise from my personal contacts with constituents. I congratulate David Mundell on his research on the subject. My research is based on the emotive comments that individuals have made to me. Year after year, an old lady was trapped in her home by nesting gulls and had no assistance. The babies in a young family could not be put in their prams because the family feared the gulls. Perhaps the mess on a young woman's washing line is not serious, but it affected her quality of life. Those are the effects of gulls.
The best way to deal with gulls is to try to clear their eggs at nesting time and to discourage them from breeding in urban communities. On a light-hearted note, it might be in local authorities' interest to take up the idea of which I was informed by a fairly knowledgeable fishing expert. In his younger days, he collected black-headed gulls' eggs, which found a market in Harrods. That is a new money-raising scheme for local authorities.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S1M-3499, in the name of David Mundell, on nuisance caused by seagulls.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes that seagulls are causing an increasing nuisance in communities across Scotland and believes that the Scottish Executive should dev...
David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
It is apposite that this debate on how to tackle the nuisance caused by gulls in urban areas should follow a debate on quality of life, which has confirmed t...
Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate David Mundell on raising the issue, because it is serious. Like him, I have noticed that our esteemed press corps has regarded the matter as a...
Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I congratulate David Mundell on securing tonight's debate. There is more than one way to get to the top of the list for members' business; having a common in...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
Margaret Ewing referred to her husband's experience of being attacked by seagulls when he was running near Lossiemouth, where I used to love to walk. She has...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Close encounters of the gull variety. In Edinburgh, just about every night, Hitchcockesque flocks darken the skies, screaming and apparently driving away flo...
Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
I agree with Christine Grahame's comments about litter louts. Before this, we had a debate on the quality of life in Scotland. One of the things that we all ...
Robin Harper:
Green
Herring gulls are the main problem.
Phil Gallie:
Con
I accept that the herring gull is the main problem, but the black-headed gull can also be a problem and, where it is, that might be a light-hearted solution....
Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (Ind):
Ind
I had not intended to speak. I attended the debate to reduce my ignorance of the subject. I once lived on the coast, but that was in the days when the coast ...
The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development (Allan Wilson):
Lab
I join members in congratulating David Mundell on securing the debate and I thank members for attending. I think that the debate has been time well spent, de...
Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
Someone mentioned the presence of gulls in enormous numbers in the fields where pigs are in the open air, living in little huts. It seems to me that in any i...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I am happy to do so, although the clear evidence that I have received from the Executive's chief medical officer is that although seagulls are a nuisance, th...
Meeting closed at 17:45.