§ 22. Mr. G. HALL (for Mr. D. GRENFELL)asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the work of searching for and trapping musk rats in this country is still being continued; and, if so, the number of trappers engaged, the counties concerned, and the cost to date?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)The work of searching for and trapping musk rats at large still continues in Shropshire, Worcester, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. The known centres of infestation are now localised in comparatively small areas in the counties named, and consequently it has been possible to reduce the number of trappers from a, maximum of 39 early in 1933 to 15 men and a supervisor in Shropshire and six men in the other counties. The total cost of this service from April, 1932, to the 30th September, 1934, has been £11,748, while the receipts, principally from the sale of skins, amount to £363.