§ 23. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the danger caused by the rapid increase in the number of musk rats in various parts of the country, what immediate steps are being taken for the elimination of this pest; and what expenditure is being incurred by his Department with that purpose in view?
§ Major ELLIOTIn the principal infested area, comprising Shropshire and parts of other counties immediately adjoining, 28 men are engaged in searching and trapping under a skilled supervisor. In West Sussex, which is the only other area at present known to be heavily infested, seven men are similarly engaged. Isolated reports of the presence of musk rats in other places are being followed up immediately, and trappers sent where necessary. The cost of the operations for the first three months of this year was approximately £1,650, of which about £250 represented non-recurrent expenditure.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware of the rapidity with which these rodents increase and multiply? Is he aware that less than 20 years ago, in Bavaria, four of them escaped, and now it is estimated that there are over 100,000,000 of them in the country; and is he satisfied that sufficient precautions are being taken to deal with the menace in this country?
§ Major ELLIOTI could not, of course, say that sufficient precautions have been taken to deal with the menace, but certainly precautions of a very drastic kind have been taken, and any further action would require vastly increased expenditure.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware of the great disquiet that is felt in the places where they have recently appeared, such as West Sussex and Surrey; and, in view of the great damage to public and private property that is being done in other countries, will he report to the House within a short time whether the steps at present being taken are efficacious or not?
§ Major ELLIOTI shall be glad to report at an early date if my right hon. Friend will put down a question.
§ Earl WINTERTONMy right hon. and gallant Friend states that musk rats have been found in West Sussex, but is he aware that they have been found in Surrey within the last 10 days?
§ Major ELLIOTI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. McENTEEHas the right hon. and gallant Gentleman any record of the number of rats actually trapped by the trappers, and how much a rat costs to trap?
§ Major ELLIOTI have the numbers here. In the Shropshire area, in the last four weeks, 77, 60, 17 and 15 have been trapped, and in West Sussex 16, 14, 23 and 16.