§ Mr. Mott-Radclyffeasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to assist farmers to reduce the risk of damage by foxes to farm stock, particularly in areas not hunted by any pack of fox hounds.
Mr. AmoryI have consulted the interests concerned and I propose, for the next three months, to increase the Ministry's share of the bonuses paid by fox destruction societies from 7s. 6d. to 10s. for an adult fox and from 2s. 6d. to 5s. for a cub, provided the societies contribute similar amounts.
236WI am asking county agricultural executive committees, in hill farming areas and other country where foxes are numerous, to arrange with fox destruction societies and other local organisations for co-ordinated action to reduce the number of foxes. The Forestry Commission are increasing bonuses to their own trappers and will co-operate generally in action against foxes in the neighbourhood of their plantations.
In hunting country any necessary action against foxes will be agreed between the county pests officer and the local master of foxhounds.