§ Captain CARR-GOMMasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that since the Department fixed a retail price for rabbits the supply of rabbits to the markets has almost ceased; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
Mr. PARKERThe decrease in the:supply of rabbits is not solely attributable to the Rabbits (Prices) Order. Supplies always tend to decrease from the beginning of the year until the season ends in March, and the weather of the last fortnight has made trapping very difficult. There are, however, signs of improvement in local supplies, and it is hoped, now that the weather has changed, that there will be increased supplies in the central markets.
§ Sir FRANCIS BLAKEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that rabbit coursing is still being carried on in some parts of the country, and that the animals after being mauled and killed are often given to the dogs; and whether, having regard to the importance of rabbits as food for the people, he will take steps to put an end to this practice?
Mr. PARKERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is not clear that the loss of food involved would warrant interference with this rather cruel form of sport.