§ 67. Mr. J. L. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the importation of foxes to agricultural districts from other districts in the United Kingdom or from abroad; and, in view of the urgent need of growing more food, what steps are being taken to prohibit this practice
§ Mr. T. WilliamsWhile I have no powers to stop the practice referred to by the hon. Member, I strongly deprecate any such encouragement of fox breeding at the present time. Foxes must be regarded as vermin to be destroyed, and, as indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) on 4th March last, I am willing to give powers for the purpose by ad hoc Order to any county war agricultural executive committee which satisfies me that such powers are necessary to keep the pest under effective control.