HC Deb 13 May 1964 vol 695 c78W
82. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, instead of gin traps, gassing by cymag has been used successfully in most European countries and also in parts of Scotland; what are the particular Scottish conditions that require that the spring trap should not be abolished there; and whether he will institute an experiment in one area to test by comparison these two methods.

Mr. Noble

I am aware that cymag and similar gases can be used successfully under suitable conditions—for example to gas vixens and cubs in dens. In remote hill areas in Scotland, however, dens are not always easy to find and, even when found, may be so rocky or stony that cymag cannot effectively be used. The two methods are complementary and I do not think that further experiment is needed to test their effectiveness.