§ 61. Sir John Mellorasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Minister of Agriculture was consulted before the price of rabbits was controlled?
§ Mr. JohnstoneThe answer is in the affirmative.
§ Sir J. MellorWould the Minister agree that rabbits are so destructive on the farms that their food value does not justify their existence; and, if that is so, why should there be any restriction on their slaughter through a price control?
§ Mr. JohnstoneI will draw the attention of my Noble Friend to the argument of my hon. Friend. At the present time, my Noble Friend has thought it best to control the price of rabbits, which are in short supply, as otherwise the price would rise beyond the power of purchase of the poorer people.
§ Sir William DavisonWould the Minister of Agriculture consider that there are large numbers of rabbits still left in this country and that they are a menace to our food supply and our timber supply? They are a perfect pest, and the Government should take the matter in hand with the least possible delay.