§ 19. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to take action to forbid the use of gin traps.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThis would require legislation. Before I can consider this question further I must await the experience of county agricultural executive committees, who are now using humane traps under everyday working conditions.
§ Dr. StrossWill not the Minister show himself more sensitive to the experience of constituents who write to us so frequently condemning the barbarity of this type of trap, particularly in view of its mutilating effect on their domestic pets? Cannot we have something better?
§ Sir T. DugdaleI am entirely sympathetic towards this problem, but it would be misleading if I said that I thought we had the answer until I am certain we have it. We now have these new traps in use by the county committees—they have only just got there owing to manufacturing difficulties—and after a time we shall receive reports as to how effective they are, and then we will see whether we can make any progress.