§ 122. Sir R. WINFREYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to the amount of damage caused by winged and other game to the growing crops of potatoes and carrots upon the reclamation farm at Methwold, Norfolk, under the management of Dr. Edwards, acting for the Development Commissioners; and whether he will consider the advisability of suspending the Game Laws for the period of the War in order that this game may be destroyed by the tenant and the food supply from this farm thereby increased?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Acland)Some inquiry has been made into this case since my hon. Friend put down the question, and the results show that the damage by game this season on the farm is in excess of that done in normal seasons owing to the small amount of shooting which took place during the two preceding seasons. Further inquiry will be made with a view to ascertaining whether the game cannot be better kept down by those whose duty it is to do so. But as at present advised, the Board see no reason to alter their view as to the suspension of the Game Laws which was communicated to my hon. Friend in answer to a question on 27th June last.