§ 65. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent he has given the county agricultural executive committees authority to take the measures they consider necessary to reduce the plague of rabbits; and if adequate supplies of gassing powder are available in all districts.
§ Mr. G. BrownPowers under Sections 98 and 100 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, have been delegated to county agricultural executive committees enabling them to require the destruction of rabbits in order to prevent damage to crops, etc., and to carry out the destruction in default of compliance with such a requirement. The committees also provide, so far as they can, a rabbit destruction service on266W repayment. There has been such an unprecedented demand for gassing powder this season that there is at present a general shortage. Consultations have taken place with the manufacturers and my right hon. Friend is informed that the factory is now working to capacity, but that the possibility of increasing production still further is being actively explored.