§ 63. Mr. FREEMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he is aware that many wild ponies from the New Forest are being sold to slaughterers and that, unless this traffic is stopped, these ponies are in danger of extermination; and seeing that the report on National Parks recommends the preservation of the natural fauna, whether he will take the necessary steps to prohibit the sale or destruction of these animals?
§ Mr. ALPASS (for the Forestry Commissioners)The ponies referred to are not wild in the sense that they constitute part of the natural fauna of the New Forest. They are turned loose by private individuals into the open forest, the grazing of which is regulated by the verderers.
§ Mr. FREEMANWill my hon. Friend consider what steps can be taken to preserve these ponies from extermination, in view of the charm which they add to the life of the forest?