§ 68. Lieut.-Colonel Heneageasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any figures giving the number of rats killed in counties and county boroughs by public campaign since October, 1939?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Captain McEwen)I have been asked to reply. In referring to "public campaign," my hon. and gallant Friend doubtless has in mind "National Rat Week" which, for many years, has been held at the beginning of November, when special steps are taken, by publicity and otherwise, to direct public attention to the 544 importance of the destruction of rats. But as all occupiers of land and property are under a statutory obligation to destroy rats and it is consequently a matter primarily for private and individual effort, it is obviously impossible to obtain reliable statistics as to the number of rats actually killed.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HeneageIn view of the importance of food production in this country, can my hon. and gallant Friend say how the campaign is getting on?
§ Captain McEwenI understand that my hon. and gallant Friend has a Question on the Order Paper for Thursday, to which he will receive an answer.