§ 50. Earl Wintertonasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that serious damage is resulting to agriculture and sylviculture from the number of grey squirrels in many parts of England; and if he will direct the attention of the pest officers of county war agricultural executive committees to this matter.
Mr. HudsonI am aware of the damage caused by grey squirrels and when county war agricultural executive committees were recently given powers to deal with this pest they were informed of the need for prompt and drastic action to destroy these animals.
§ Earl WintertonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the real difficulty is a supply of cartridges, and that whereas other vermin can be dealt with by poison and trapping, the only way of dealing with these grey squirrels is by a shot gun, and that pest officers of local committees say they cannot obtain cartridges?
Mr. HudsonSupplies of 12-bore cartridges are being substantially increased, and it should be easier to obtain them from dealers.
§ Earl WintertonI am sorry to say that I must give my right hon. Friend the trouble of hearing this matter raised on the Adjournment.