HC Deb 26 February 1969 vol 778 cc1690-1
3. Mr. Onslow

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he proposes to discontinue measures for the control of foxes in urban and semi-urban areas.

Mr. John Mackie

The responsibility for fox control rests with the owners of land. In some suburban areas officers of my Department have participated directly in control operations but we believe that the small numbers of staff available will be better employed in providing local authorities with advice and training.

Mr. Onslow

How much will this save, and what consideration has the Minister given to the probability that if control in future takes the form of the setting of snares by private individuals many domestic dogs and cats will suffer?

Mr. Mackie

If the hon. Gentleman had listened to my reply, he would have heard me say that we thought that our people would be better employed giving advice and training, and that training would certainly not include setting snares.