MSP wants Holyrood birds fed not dead

A TORY MSP is calling for bird-feeders in the Scottish Parliament's grounds – just days after the Evening News revealed Holyrood bosses are spending £8000 a year to keep pigeons away from the building.

Nanette Milne, the Tories' environment spokeswoman, claimed the problem with pigeons nesting at the parliament had been "solved". And she added as the cold weather begins to bite it was now important to provide food for garden birds.

She said: "At the heart of the Scottish Parliamentary Estate is a garden which has many small birds, who fly in from neighbouring Arthur's Seat and local woodland.

"I would like to see the Scottish Parliament lead by example and provide bird-feeders."

She said attracting birds to the parliament's garden would provide enjoyment for visitors and the 1000 people who work on site.

The Evening News revealed on Thursday the parliament had spent £24,000 over the past three years on clean-up operations, spikes to stop birds landing on ledges and special netting to keep them out of recesses – and that's on top of a £35,000 four-year contract for pest control, which includes dealing with pigeon problems. Ms Milne's idea was backed by the Royal Society for Protection of Birds.