§ 49. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the fact that a plague of rabbits were recently destroyed by gas; and whether this waste of food will be avoided by other methods of destruction.
Mr. HudsonI am not aware of the particular case referred to by the hon. Member, but the use of cyanide gas is strongly advocated as a means of exterminating rabbits. Having regard to the damage caused by rabbits to food production, I am quite satisfied that the need 1396 for their destruction by all available means, including gassing, overrides any consideration of their food value.