§ 31. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further evidence he has of the return of 594 rabbits in various districts; to what extent, and in which districts, myxomatosis is still a killing disease; and what progress is being made with the development of a humane rabbit trap which has been proved effective and which can be sold at a reasonable price.
§ Mr. GodberLatest reports on the rabbit situation show little change since the reply given to my hon. Friend on 18th April last. Lethal outbreaks of myxomatosis have occurred recently in Bedfordshire, Hampshire, Suffolk, Sussex, Westmorland, Wiltshire, Merionethshire, and Pembrokeshire; and the disease, though dying out, still exists in parts of Lancashire and of the West Riding of Yorkshire. My right hon. Friend is expecting a further report from the Humane Traps Advisory Committee within the next few months.
§ Mr. HurdAre county pest officers getting enough adequate reports where rabbits are appearing again, so that they can pinpoint where they will have to carry out campaigns when conditions are right?
§ Mr. GodberYes, Sir. I think that we are getting the information all right. It is the question of being able to kill the rabbits which is more difficult.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattWhile accepting my hon. Friend's answer to that question, may I ask whether he would not agree that a certain time has elapsed since the last Answer on the subject was given by his Department; and does he also agree that the rabbits have not been idle during that time?
§ Mr. GodberI certainly agree with the last part of that supplementary question.