§ 39. Sir A. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent rabbit clearance societies have been able to operate the scheme for providing subsidised cartridges for shooting wood pigeons; and if he is aware that in some districts there has been no organised shooting this spring and the wood pigeons have been left to multiply with consequent damage to tillage crops and clover leys.
Mr. VaneOne hundred and sixty-three societies are making use of these arrangements. In some counties organised shooting has not been on the same scale as in previous years, but as societies extend their areas I hope the gaps will be filled. In some areas, of course, shoots, other than those organised by rabbit clearance societies, have taken place for many years and continue to do so.
§ Sir A. HurdWill my hon. Friend look at the way in which the scheme is working, as it is not giving satisfaction in most districts, and will he see whether he can get an improvement before next year?