§ 36. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report from the Committee he appointed to find the best type of humane rabbit trap.
Mr. AmoryThe Committee has already submitted two reports, copies of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. I understand that it expects to report further in the summer.
§ Mr. CrouchWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that, owing to the unfortunate increase of rabbits, we shall be hearing more about traps in the future than we have heard in the last couple of years?
Mr. AmoryYes. In the meantime we must do our utmost to take advantage of every possible means of trying to exterminate the rabbit not only between 792 now and July, 1958, but as a permanent measure.
§ Mr. HastingsDoes the Minister realise that in some parts of the country the number of rabbits is increasing and that those of us who are troubled by them and want to get rid of them but who do not want to use the abominable gin trap are in a difficulty and do not know what to do? Will he see what he can do to hurry up this Report in order that we may have an effective trap, which is not cruel, for use against rabbits?
Mr. AmoryI am as anxious as is the hon. Member that that should be the final result, and if he would be interested I should be glad to tell him how the Committee is getting on with this matter. It has made some progress and has under trial now several possible traps. I should not like to go further than that.