HC Deb 18 November 1941 vol 376 cc162-3
23. Mr. Leach

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the release from Army service of huntsman Harry Roberts to enable him to resume duties with the Plas Machynlleth foxhounds was made with his consent; and will he consider releasing miners rather than persons of such occupations?

Captain Margesson

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Sudbury (Colonel Burton) on 16th October. As regards the second part, I would refer him to the statement by the Prime Minister on the coal situation on 12th November.

Mr. Leach

I am not at all sure whether that is the answer to my Question. My Question refers to two matters about which I have no knowledge whatsoever. I want to know why this man has been released, and whether my right hon. and gallant Friend will promise not to do this again in other instances.

Captain Margesson

The reply to which I referred my hon. Friend was made on 16th October, 1941, and I do not think that my hon. Friend can have seen it before putting down his Question. The answer was as follows: The soldier in question was released from the Army for a period of six months as a result of strong recommendations by the Ministry of Agriculture. In support of the application it was stated that these hounds were maintained for the sole purpose of protecting sheep and poultry from foxes, and that since his enlistment farmers had suffered severe losses. The Ministry are satisfied that in this mountainous district the only effective method of keeping down the foxes is to hunt them on foot with hounds and to drive them towards guns or towards their earths, where they are destroyed by terriers or other means."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 16th October, 1941; col. 1522, Vol. 374.] I do not think my hon. Friend realised that this is not a question of hunts going out with huntsmen mounted and wearing red coats and so forth; it is really a matter of exterminating these foxes.

Mr. Leach

Is it the policy of the War Office to make further releases of huntsmen and not of miners?