33. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost of the subsidy on cartridges for shooting pigeons over the latest convenient period; and whether he is satisfied with the working of the scheme.
§ Mr. GodberThe cost of the rebate on cartridges for the twelve months ended 31st March last was about £42,000. The new arrangements introduced last year have led to a considerable improvement in the working of the scheme, which has been running without any real difficulties.
Mr. VaneIs my hon. Friend satisfied that the administration of the scheme does not cost any substantial sum in addition to this £42,000? Will he look ahead and see if he cannot do away with this subsidised cartridge scheme, which seems quite unnecessary? In view of the amount of damage pigeons do, people ought to be encouraged to shoot them without a subsidy or a bribe.
§ Mr. GodberWe are considering the future position, but I think that the scheme is doing a valuable amount of work. I am advised that over two million birds are regarded as having been shot last year as a result of this scheme, which is a benefit.
§ Mr. GodberI am advised that the amount being bought under this scheme is about 5 per cent. of the total.
§ Mr. PeytonWill the Minister look at the matter again? I entirely agree with my hon. Friend that there is no reason why people should not take action in their own interests, without having a present made to them at the taxpayer's expense. I hope that my hon. Friend 24 will look at this and similar schemes and see if he can reduce the expense.
§ Mr. GodberI have been looking at this scheme only recently, and I am satisfied that it is performing a useful function to the agricultural community in helping to keep down these pests.