§ Mr. Corfieldasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further progress has been made in setting up rabbit clearance societies in England and Wales; and whether he is satisfied with the position.
§ Mr. John HareThere are now 259 rabbit clearance societies covering 4.3 million acres of land. This is good progress, but I am far from satisfied. The area covered is still only 14 per cent. of the agricultural acreage of England and Wales, and I am now getting disturbing 161W reports that rabbit numbers are on the increase. I must therefore sound a warning that unless occupiers join together in setting up societies in those parts of the country not so far covered, there is a serious danger that, before long, the wild rabbit will re-establish itself as a major pest of agriculture.