§ Baroness SHARPLESMy Lords, I beg leave 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 intend to reintroduce grants to rabbit clearance societies in view of the increase in the rabbit population in various parts of the country.
§ Lord STRABOLGINo, my Lords.
§ Baroness SHARPLESMy Lords, does the noble Lord realise that the spending of, perhaps, £500,000 to help rabbit clearance societies would result in the possible saving of £150 million a year, in view of the damage caused by rabbits in certain areas—I agree that it is not everywhere—at the present time? Would the noble Lord agree with this?
§ Lord STRABOLGINo, my Lords. Damage by rabbits is now only one-tenth of the pre-myxomatosis damage in value terms. The previous Conservative Administration abolished this grant in 1971. We think that they were quite right and we support its abolition.
§ Baroness SHARPLESMy Lords, I appreciate that rabbits are not concerned about politics, but I have heard that they are very much on the increase. So I would ask the noble Lord to look again at the figure of 10 per cent., because I think he will find that in the last month it has increased greatly.
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, we believe that grants from public sources do not make financial sense, since the 766 benefits accrue primarily to the society members themselves. In a time of restraint on public expenditure, we do not believe that this is a candidate for increased assistance from public funds.
§ Lord DERWENTMy Lords, what does the noble Lord mean by "in value terms"? The value of what—rabbits?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, the value of damage.
§ Lord BLYTONMy Lords, in view of the retail price of rabbits to the consumer, does the Minister not think that we should encourage the breeding of rabbits so that the price might come down?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, of course that is a very interesting idea. It is one which I should like to pursue, and to balance against the damage done by these pests.
§ Lord CLIFFORD of CHUDLEIGHMy Lords, does the noble Lord realise that, if there is no effective control of rabbits, even small farmers will have to spend thousands of pounds on netting fields which they have not had to net for 10 or 15 years? Would the expense of that be considered for Government grant?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, under the Pests Act 1954 the whole of England and Wales has been declared a rabbit clearance area, in which occupiers have a continuing responsibility to control rabbits on their land.
§ Lord SANDYSMy Lords, while recognising the need for control of public expenditure, will the Government consider using powers which they have under the 1947 Act should the situation become more serious, as my noble friend has suggested?
§ Lord STRABOLGIYes, my Lords, certainly. The Ministry are prepared to use statutory powers in appropriate cases, but persuasion remains the preferred method.
Earl ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, will the noble Lord seriously consider altering the Act as it stands at the moment, whereby it is illegal to spread myxomatosis in any form? The present strains in the country 767 are so weak that they do not kill rabbits. Would he consider introducing a new strain from Australia, which has extremely virulent strains, for spreading in this country?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, I am sure that we shall certainly take note of that very interesting suggestion. However, myxomatosis remains a substantial check to rabbit numbers. It can kill 70 to 90 per cent. of susceptible rabbits. But there is some evidence of increasing tolerance to this disease, and this is the subject of further research.
§ Lord POPPLEWELLMy Lords, will my noble friend consider suggesting to my noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor that there should be some easement in the law affecting the old village poacher, so that he is allowed to get about the work of clearing rabbits without the heavy fines that are inflicted upon him when he is taken before a bench of landed magistrates?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, I will certainly convey to my noble and learned friend what my noble friend has said.
§ Lord AIREDALEMy Lords, will the Government also note that there are others in this House to whom the spreading of a very unpleasant disease is abhorrent?