§ Mr. William Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will require the Forestry Commission to ask the Economic Forestry Groups in Wales to intensify their efforts to eliminate foxes in their plantations.
§ Mr. George ThomasNo. The Forestry Commission is responsible for controlling foxes on its own estates but not elsewhere. Like other occupiers of land, members of the Economic Forestry Group have the same responsibility. In default, the exercise of enforcement powers under Section 98 of the Agricultural Act, 1947, will be considered by the county agricultural executive committees, where appropriate.
Grants are available to Fox Destruction Societies which cover most of the 319W hill areas of Wales and advice on fox control is available from the pests officers of the Ministry of Agriculture who will take every suitable opportunity of persuading members of the Economic Forestry Group to join in organised action against foxes.