§ 81. Mr. RENDALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why his statement that all tenants were to be given power to shoot game on their holdings without any time limit if the game was damaging the crops has not been carried out by Order as promised by him; whether the Order just issued permits no tenant to shoot game except after inquiry by the war agricultural committee of each county as to whether the landlord has cleared the game, and then only until 31st March if the committee gives consent; how such consent can be obtained by many thousands of tenants without delay which will be disastrous to the crops; and who is responsible for the Order issued and what is its use?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThis matter is now being dealt with by the Board of Agriculture. The statement made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food indicated the proposals under consideration at that time. The whole matter was, however, further considered, and the Order now issued by the Board contains the provisions which, in the opinion of the Government, are best calculated to deal with excessive stocks of pheasants. The extension of the killing season is provisionally limited to 31st March, so as to secure prompt action, but, if necessary, the period will be further extended. It is not anticipated that the war agricultural committees will fail to deal promptly with all applications.
§ Mr. RENDALLWill the hon. Gentleman answer that part of my question which asks how the tenants in this country are to obtain permission from the county agricultural committees in time to make any use of this so-called privilege?
§ Sir R. WINFREYIt is only a question of a day or two.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWould the agricultural committees meet every day?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThe executive of the county agricultural committee meets two or three times each week.
§ Sir J. D. REESWhat crops are game now destroying other than the cabbage stalks which the wood-pigeons have rejected?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThe sanfoin crops is Norfolk have been very much devastated.