HC Deb 23 April 1953 vol 514 cc1382-3
21. Mr. G. Williams

asked the Minister of Agriculture full particulars of the procedure to be adopted to obtain a shilling for the tail of a grey squirrel.

Sir T. Dugdale

In England and Wales, tails should be sent to the county agricultural executive committee pest officer. Not fewer than six tails should be sent at a time. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a leaflet issued by the Forestry Commission giving further details of the scheme and I am also placing a copy in the Library.

Mr. Williams

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that the fact that we have a Minister of Agriculture who is determined to tackle this problem will be welcomed by Socialists as well as by Conservatives?

Mr. W. R. Williams

Is it not despicable, especially in Coronation year, to deprive these poor things of their tails?

Sir T. Dugdale

There is a good deal of misunderstanding about the grey squirrel, which ought to be known as the tree rat. It would be got rid of much more quickly.