§ 18. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many foxes were destroyed by his pest control officers from Mount Mascal, Bexley, at Shortlands and on Chislehurst Common on 20th January; and how were they destroyed.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. John Hare)Nine foxes were killed in the drive organised by my pests officers at Mount Mascal on 20th January, and 11 at Sundridge Park and Chislehurst Common on 18th January. All were shot.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is some concern about the number of foxes to be seen in built-up areas of north-west Kent? Is the situation getting worse? Does he feel that his pest control officers can deal with it?
§ Mr. HareThe hon. Member is quite right. Foxes have been giving trouble on the outskirts of London, particularly in Kent and Surrey. My pest officers have given advice and they are helping to deal with the problem. I think that they are the people best able to deal with these animals humanely.
§ 19. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the total number of foxes destroyed by his pest control officers since 1st January, 1959, up to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. John HareFrom 1st January, 1959, to 31st January, 1960, some 2,000 foxes were destroyed by my pests officers or killed in drives organised by them.
§ Mr. DoddsWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that information, may I ask whether it is not a matter of some surprise that the foxes could be killed so easily and without being chased by hounds, horses and people dressed in red jackets? Does he not think that this is the best way of dealing with them?
§ Mr. HareI think that the hon. Member has possibly got the figures out of proportion. I remind him that 21,000 foxes were killed between 1st January, 1959, and 31st January, this year, by hunts and so on.