§ 4. Sir H. Harrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions were made under the Pests Act, 1954, during 1962 for harbouring rabbits.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsNone, Sir. During 1962 we were able to get rabbits destroyed by issuing formal warnings to occupiers, followed, in a few cases, by default action on the part of the Ministry.
§ Sir H. HarrisonIs my hon. Friend satisfied that rabbits really are being kept properly under control? Is he aware that there is an impression abroad that if an offender makes some small contribution no further proceedings will be taken against him? How long is it between the first inspection and the final destruction of the rabbits?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsWe are never satisfied that sufficient is being done. One always wants to see more being done, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the existing system is working well. As to the last part of his supplementary question, I have not got available the exact time between the initial warning that the rabbits should be destroyed, and the taking of default action. I will let him know.