§ 39. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the increasing damage caused by grey squirrels to young beech, sycamore and oak trees, and also to growing crops; and what steps are being taken to limit the number of these animals and thus protect our supplies of growing timber and food.
§ Mr. NugentYes. Vigorous action against grey squirrels is being organised by the Forestry Commission, the National Farmers' Union, the Country Landowners' Association and county agricultural executive committees. More squirrel clubs are being formed and they are provided with free cartridges. There are now over 1,000 such clubs. The Forestry 171W Commission run an additional scheme whereby they pay 1s. per tail for squirrels destroyed other than by squirrel clubs; this should encourage individual effort and trapping. The urgent need for countering this menace is being brought home to people generally by Press, radio and other forms of publicity.