DESTRUCTIVE IMPORTED ANIMALS BILL [Lords]. (Hansard, 11 March 1932)

§ The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (Sir John Gilmour)
I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."
This Bill deals with the musk rat, which is kept in this country for the purpose of its fur. It is an animal which does a great deal of damage to banks of streams and reservoirs by burrowing and so on, rather in the manner of the beaver. This is a difficulty which has become a clamant one in this country. This Measure merely proposes that we shall have power to regulate for the present the keeping of musk rats. Unless these animals are kept under suitable conditions, they may escape, and do much damage. We are providing that inspectors shall have power to enter upon land to destroy musk rats which have escaped, 2169 and if in the end it is found necessary to deal more strictly with this danger, the Bill gives power to prohibit the keeping of the animals. The Bill also gives power to deal with other animals, such as the North American grey squirrel, and provision is made in regard to the destruction of those animals.
We do not know exactly what the costs of administration will be, but I do not think that they will exceed £1,200. There will, of course, be receipts from licences which will be issued, and in the end we hope that such inspection as may have to be made from time to time will be covered in great part by the receipts from these licences. I shall be happy, of course, to answer any questions that may be asked on the subject. The Measure has passed through the other House, it is supported by both the Department of Agriculture for Scotland and the Ministry for which I speak, and we are, of course, acting on the advice of those interested in natural history in this country. With this explanation, I would ask the House to give the Bill a Second Reading.

§ Lieut.-Colonel APPLIN
May I ask if the musk rat is carnivorous What does it live upon? What does it eat?

§ Sir J. GILMOUR
I assume that it is fed on the ordinary food that rats would eat, and in that case its diet would be varied. I could not say exactly what it would be; that must obviously be in the discretion of those who keep the animals, and who would desire to get the best fur.