§ 77. Mr. HOPKINasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the damage done by rabbits in West Wales, where rabbit trapping is practised on a commercial scale; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to extend the provisions of Section 6 of the Ground Game Act, 1880, which prohibits tenant farmers from setting traps for rabbits in the open, so that a similar prohibition may be applied to all owners, occupiers, or users of agricultural land?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have had under consideration the question of the damage done by rabbits, but I cannot hold out hope that time will permit of the introduction in the near future of legislation. The complete prohibition of the use of steel traps in the open would not, of course, in itself necessarily reduce the damage caused by rabbits.
§ Mr. HOPKINIf I submit a Bill to the right hon. Gentleman, will he consider the terms of it?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI shall be glad to consider any representations from the hon. Member.
§ Major COLFOXDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the only way to reduce the rabbit pest is to make rabbit-catching a profitable occupation, and will he not endeavour to secure the prohibition of the importation of foreign rabbits?
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBIf a private Member's Bill is introduced on the lines of the one which previously passed this House, will the right hon. Gentleman give it favourable consideration?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI will certainly give it my consideration, but I could not give any pledge in respect. to it.
§ 78. Mr. HOPKINasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that any steps taken by a farmer in West Wales to clear his own land of rabbits are rendered abortive by the incursion of rabbits from the neighbouring farms where commercial trapping takes place; 614 and what steps he will take to protect the farmer in these circumstances?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am, of course, aware of the difficulty experienced by farmers in controlling rabbits on their land when rabbits are numerous on adjoining properties. Bills to deal with this matter have been introduced into Parliament on a number of occasions without success, but as already stated, I cannot hold out hope of Parliamentary time being available in the near future for legislation on the subject.
§ Mr. HOPKINWill the right hon. Gentleman consider making West Wales a special area for this purpose?
§ Mr. DENMANDoes the right hon. Gentleman remember Section 10 of the Corn Production Act, in which we attempted nearly 20 years ago to deal with this very matter?
§ 79. Mr. HOPKINasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that commercial trapping of rabbits in the open in West Wales results in damage to domestic animals and game, kills off foxes, stoats, and weasels which normally keep the increase of rabbits in check, and leaves on the land a large stock of rabbits for breeding purposes for next year's trapping; and what steps he proposes to take to prohibit the commercial trapping of rabbits?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe hon. Member no doubt refers to the practice of using spring traps adopted by professional rabbit trappers who are employed by owners and occupiers of agricultural land. I am aware that the use of such traps sometimes results in injury to game and to domestic and wild animals other than rabbits, and their use is deprecated by the Ministry. Any prohibition would, however, require legislation, which, as I have already informed the hon. Member, will not be practicable at the present time.