§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his policy on the control of foxes by(a) gassing, (b) snaring and (c) shooting on his Department's estate by personnel other than his Department's employees; [27523]
(2) what is his policy on the gassing of foxes on his Department's estate; [27525]
(3) what is his policy with regard to the use of rifles for fox control on training areas currently in use on his Department's estate; [27521]
(4) what is his policy on snaring of foxes on his Department's estate; [27526]
(5) what is his policy with regard to the use of rifles (a) by day and (b) by night for the control of foxes on his Department's estate; [27522]
(6) To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy with regard to the use of shotguns as a means of fox control on his Department's estate (a) by day and (b) by night. [27520]
§ Mr. SpellarWhile the gassing of foxes is not illegal, there are no Government approved products for such use. The gassing of foxes is not therefore permitted.
Snaring is legal provided the snares used are the free running type. These are used on the Defence Estate.
Rifles and shotguns are licenced for use both during the day and night.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on digging out foxes on his Department's estate for purposes of fox control. [27524]
§ Mr. SpellarThe policy for digging out foxes on my Department's land has not changed. Under the Master of Foxhounds Rules, digging out must only take place at the request of the landowner. It remains my Department's policy that, as a landowner, this request would not be made.
762WI have, however, directed that if any of my Department's tenants are troubled by rogue and destructive foxes, application may be made for the fox to be dug out following a prescribed authorisation process. It is stressed that where such action is permitted, it is on the basis that it is a specified fox control measure and will not be taken to form part of general hunting practice.