§ Major POLEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the facts that the muskrat or musquash has been imported into this country; that it is now being bred and kept in growing numbers; that several cases are known of animals having escaped from confinement; whether he is aware that great damage has been done by this animal in Central Europe since its importation and establishment there and that special measures involving considerable expense are taken in Germany and Austria to deal with it; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am aware of the facts to which my hon. Friend refers, and I have been in consultation on the whole subject with the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Law Officers of the Crown and the trustees of the Natural History Museum. I am advised that no legal powers exist at present to prevent or control the importation and breeding of the musk-rat in this country, and the question is now being considered whether Parliament should not be asked to legislate upon the subject at an early date; and, if so, what form the legislation proposed should take. Pending a decision upon this question, I trust that all persons keeping musk-rats will take note of this statement, and will moreover take every possible precaution to prevent any of these animals escaping from confinement; I hope, also, there will be no extension of the keeping of these animals.