11. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet made a decision about continuing his scheme of distribution of 6 cartridges at reduced prices for pest destruction; and what was the total cost of operating this scheme last year, including the costs of distribution by employees of his Department.
§ 14. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet succeeded in devising a scheme for providing cartridges for shooting wood pigeons, which is fair to the gun trade and not unduly expensive in cost of distribution.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. G. R. H. Nugent)We are now considering, with the interests concerned, proposals for a revised scheme for the supply of cartridges at reduced prices for the organised shooting of wood pigeons and other harmful birds which will, I hope, provide a solution acceptable to them. The total cost of operating the scheme last year, including the cost of distribution by employees of my Department, was approximately £70,000.
Mr. VaneDoes not my hon. Friend think that this method of distributing cartridges for this purpose is rather laborious, expensive and inefficient? If his Department set its mind to it, might it not be able to think out something cheaper, simpler and fairer?
§ Mr. PagetCan the Parliamentary Secretary tell us whether there is any objection to the present practice of getting a farmer friend to get one's cartridges for one?
§ Mr. RentonIs my hon. Friend aware that there are very many small gunsmiths all over the country who have performed a useful service in the past and whose living has been cut away by the scheme? Will he bear in mind the need for having regard to the legitimate interests of these men?
§ Mr. NugentIt is because we consider the present scheme not entirely satisfactory that we are now discussing an alternative.