HL Deb 12 July 1955 vol 193 c594

2.45 p.m.

LORD MERTHYR

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have yet received a report from the Humane Traps Advisory Committee.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL ST. ALDWYN)

Yes, my Lords; the Committee made their First Report on June 15, and copies are available in the Printed Paper Office. Since their first meeting in July, 1954, the Committee have examined prototypes or designs of 102 traps, 17 of which have been selected for field trials. Thirteen of these have undergone preliminary tests, while the other four will be tested as soon as models are available. The Committee regard one or two traps as showing promise of replacing the gin, but they are of the opinion that much further work remains to be done, and they cannot at present recommend any advance in the date, namely, July 31, 1958, appointed by Section 8 of the Pests Act, 1954, for banning the gin. Her Majesty's Government have accepted this recommendation.