§ 56. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made in the formation of rabbit clearance societies to qualify for the £ for £ grants offered by his Department; and which counties have so far registered such societies.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. John Hare)Three societies, one in Carmarthenshire and two in Kent, have already been registered, and plans to form societies are well advanced in a number of other counties in England and Wales. The initial response to the recent offer of grants has been encouraging in many areas: but I would urge occupiers in all parts of the country to take advantage of these grants and form societies over the next few months so that they are ready to operate in good time for next winter's anti-rabbit campaign.
§ Mr. HurdThat seems a satisfactory start. May we take it from what my right hon. Friend has said that both the Country Landowners' Association and the National Farmers' Union are doing their best to facilitate the formation of these societies?
§ Mr. HareI have no reason to assume that they are not giving the fullest cooperation to the schemes that my Ministry is putting forward.