HC Deb 12 July 1955 vol 543 cc168-9W
Mr. John Hill

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now received a report from the Humane Traps Advisory Committee.

Mr. Amory

Yes. The Committee made their first report on 15th June. Copies are available in the Vote Office. Since their first meeting in July, 1954, the Committee have examined prototypes or designs of 102 traps, of which 17 have been selected for field trials. One or two traps show promise of replacing the gin, but much further work remains to be done, and the Committee are unable to recommend any advance in the date, i.e. 31st July, 1958, appointed by Section 8 of the Pests Act, 1954, for banning the gin. The Secretary of State for Scotland and I have accepted this recommendation.