§ Mr. Leachasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the intention of the Buccleuch, Cleveland, Cotswold, Crawley and Horsham, South Devon, Four Burrow, Middle-ton, Monmouth, Portman, Puckeridge, Silverton, West Somerset, Staintondale, East Sussex and Woodland Pytchley Hunts to carry on hunting during the 938W coming season, with no reports in the Press; that one estate-owner in the Whitby area has declared foxes on his estate must not be put down as he proposes to keep them for hunting; that farmers in that area complain of loss of poultry and interference with lambing; that hunting destroys crops and terrifies farm animals; and will he now take steps to prohibit such injury to the nation's food supplies?
Mr. HudsonAs regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Molson) on 18th June. I am not aware of any complaint from farmers in the Whitby area of losses to poultry or lambs through the depredations of foxes, but if the hon. Member will send me particulars, I will see that the matter is investigated.