§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley - Davenportasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the outbreak in this country of myxomatosis amongst rabbits in certain areas, he can now state what is to be the policy of his Department in this connection.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe Secretary of State for Scotland and I have set up a Committee to advise on the problems arising in connection with myxomatosis in rabbits and the action that should be taken by the Government. The Chairman of the Committee is Lord Carrington and the following have already accepted invitations to serve:
- Lord Merthyr.
- Dr. C. H. Andrewes.
- Mr. H. Collison.
- Dr. J. W. Evans.
- Professor R. E. Glover.
- Mr. H. Gardner.
- Mr. J. Scott Henderson, Q.C.
- The Hon. Mrs. George Lane.
- Mr. C. T. Plumb.
- Mr. J. N. Ritchie.
- Mr. W. H. Senior.
- Major R. Verney.
- Mr. Harold Woolley.
All reasonably practicable steps are being taken to stamp out the only two known outbreaks of the disease that have recently come to light in Kent. Measures 396W are also being examined for the protective inoculation of tame rabbits in case myxomatosis should spread. Future policy will be determined in the light of recommendations from the new Advisory Committee which is holding its first meeting next week.