HC Deb 12 July 1972 vol 840 cc1556-7
5. Mr. Brewis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many rabbit clearance societies have ceased to operate since the grant was withdrawn.

The Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs and Agriculture, Scottish Office (Mr. Alick Buchanan-Smith)

Forty-four.

Mr. Brewis

Has my hon. Friend had reports of greatly increased numbers of rabbits in various parts of Scotland this year? Does he think that, from the standpoint of agricultural production, the withdrawal of the grant has been a worthwhile economy?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I am aware that there have been reports of rabbits being on the increase in certain parts of Scotland, but there has not been any significant increase in the number of complaints of agricultural damage reported.

Mr. David Steel

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that these niggardly savings are shifting the balance of Nature in the countryside? Not only are rabbits on the increase but, as the hon. Gentleman knows from my correspondence, bee-keeping is likely to be on the decrease thanks to the savings the Government are trying to make on the bee-keeping advisory service.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

If the hon. Gentleman calls a saving of £70,000 a year niggling, his idea of what is niggling is different from mine. In any case, the prevention of the spread of rabbits is primarily in the interest of fanners themselves and it is to their benefit to see that it is done. As regards bee-keeping, I have written to the hon. Gentleman and I do not believe that bee-keepers have much to complain about.

Mr. Maclennan

Will the Minister issue a directive to the Highlands and Islands Development Board to encourage it to make grants for the re-establishment of these societies, at least in the area which the board covers, since this might help to offset the bad publicity which has been given to its attempts to control pests through giving aid to fox-hunting societies?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

What the board does in regard to fox-hunting is its concern. I must return to the point which I made in reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel) that rabbit clearance is in farmers' own interests and to their benefit, and I do not believe that it is our function to support them in doing something which is to their benefit.