§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what committees have been formed for the purpose of reducing the numbers of rabbits, and what numbers of rabbits in each county have been destroyed to the last available date; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe powers delegated to the 40 agricultural executive committees in Scotland include powers to issue orders requiring the destruction of rabbits in order to prevent damage to crops. Where such orders are not complied with the committees have power to enter on the lands for the purpose of carrying out the requirements of the orders. It would be impossible to obtain statistics as to the numbers of rabbits destroyed, but I can assure my hon. and learned Friend that active steps have been and are being taken with a view to destroying as many as possible.