94. Mr. McKieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the serious menace to agriculture in Wigtownshire and the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright resulting from the increase of foxes on the lands owned by the Forestry Commission; 241W and it he will take steps to see that the numbers are reduced.
§ Mr. WestwoodI am aware of the necessity to protect agricultural interests from foxes. The Forestry Commission make every effort to keep down the number of foxes in their properties and the measures taken include payment of bonus to their staff, organisation of fox drives, cooperation with neighbours and contribution to local fox clubs. In Kirkcudbrightshire the number of foxes and cubs killed by the Commission in 1946 was 289, and 16 fox drives have been organised there by the Commission since the beginning of January, 1947. The Commission have only one small property in Wigtownshire.