§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he is taking to help the campaign against the return of the rabbit.
§ Mr. Heathcoat AmoryOne of the difficulties which has been met in the campaign to control rabbits has been to secure the clearance of non-agricultural land outside the boundaries of existing farms. This land provides harbourage for rabbits, but the owners or occupiers would gain no economic benefit from its clearance. The existing grant of 50 per cent. for clearing scrubland does not provide an adequate incentive to voluntary action in such cases. I am therefore proposing to offer increased grants of up to 75 per cent. of the cost in this type of case. This will be in addition to the steps to which I referred in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 28th November.