HC Deb 21 June 1917 vol 94 cc1991-2W
Mr. HUDSON

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the amount of damage done to growing crops adjacent to woods and plantations by hares and rabbits, he is prepared to take steps to give full powers, either to his own Departmental agents or the farmers themselves, who would shoot and ferret these pests from the land, and thus prevent the devastation of crops which is now taking place in many parts of the country?

Sir R. WINFREY

Full powers have been given to county agricultural execu- tive committees under the Rabbits Order, 1917, enabling them to authorise any person to enter on land or woods for the purpose of destroying rabbits. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the Order.