§ 52. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that .410 cartridges are of little use for killing grey squirrels; and if he will, therefore, consider the free issue of 12-bore cartridges to grey squirrel clubs instead of the smaller type, in view of the great damage done to food by this pest.
§ Mr. CollickAccording to returns from county war agricultural executive committees, grey squirrel clubs to which .410 cartridges have been issued free have been responsible for the destruction of a very large number of grey squirrels. My right hon. Friend is aware that the short range of .410 cartridges limits their effective use and that in some circumstances 12-bore cartridges are more efficient. Committees are therefore authorised to issue a reasonable number of 12-bore cartridges free to the clubs in order to enable them to deal with grey squirrels which cannot be reached by the other type.