§ 8. Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made with his investigations and trials to find a more humane rabbit trap than the present gin trap.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe Imbra rabbit trap has shown that it will catch and kill rabbits humanely, and supplies have been ordered from the manufacturers for use by county agricultural executive committees under working conditions. Manufacturing problems have been holding up supply, but deliveries should be starting within the next few days.
§ Sir T. MooreWhile warmly welcoming the reply of my right hon. Friend, may I ask if he can say when these wretched instruments, gin traps, are to be abolished?
§ Sir T. DugdaleI cannot at this stage, because we must have comprehensive trials of the new Imbra trap.
Mr. Philips PriceWill the right hon. Gentleman try to make this new trap better known by the public? Very little is known about it now.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe trouble has been the manufacturing problems. It is only just now that they have been cleared. An initial order for about 5,000 was placed by my Department in September, 1952, deliveries are now expected to start this week, and this initial order should he completed in the next fortnight.
§ Mr. ChapmanIf this trap is a success, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there will be no delay in prohibiting by law the gin trap?
§ Sir T. DugdaleI do not think that I can go further now than my answer to the Question.