HC Deb 11 March 1964 vol 691 cc418-9
16. Mr. Hendry

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to prohibit the use of the gin trap in Scotland.

Mr. Noble

Every effort is being made to find a satisfactory alternative to the gin trap for catching foxes and otters. As soon as the efforts are successful, these two remaining permissible uses for the gin trap in Scotland will be prohibited.

Mr. Hendry

When my right hon. Friend speaks about permissible use for foxes and otters, will he explain how, even if a gamekeeper puts up a notice "For foxes and otters only", foxes and otters can be expected to read it? Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the use of this horrible and cruel device in this day and age is quite indefensible, and has his attention been drawn to the Canadian device which has proved successful for this purpose?

Mr. Noble

I understand my hon. Friend's doubts about the ability of foxes and otters to read, but it is also true that in places where these traps have been used for these two types of vermin anything else that goes into them is likely not to be a very desirable species, to put it no higher than that. It is a horrible and cruel method of catching these animals, but great cruelty is also caused by foxes to lambs and other creatures. If my hon. Friend lets me have details of the Canadian weapon, we shall certainly have it looked at by the Committee which studies these things.

Mr. Hannan

What action is the right hon. Gentleman taking through schools, colleges and universities to warn young people about the dangers of other attractive gin traps which are increasing in number at street corners and wreaking social havoc among our young people, and about which many people are concerned?

Mr. Noble

It is a rather different question.