§ 53. Major Sir Jocelyn Lucasasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, to reduce the great amount of annual damage done to our food supply by rats, he will consider making a free issue of approved rat poisons which are harmless to other animals, or providing, free, the services of professional rat catchers where required?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithIn view of the fact that the provisions of the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, require all occupiers of lands and premises to destroy any rats that may be on those lands and premises, and to keep them free from infestation, I do not consider that there is sufficient justification for the expenditure of public funds in the manner suggested.
§ Sir J. LucasDoes not my right hon. and gallant Friend think that as the annual damage done by rats is believed to be about £12,000,000, it would be much cheaper to spend a few thousand pounds upon rat-catchers than to lose such an amount?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am not aware of the figure mentioned.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreIs rat-catching a reserved occupation?