§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Home Secretary whether having regard to the suffering involved to rabbits and other animals when caught in steel-toothed traps, he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to make the use of such traps unlawful?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs my predecessors have stated in reply to similar questions on previous occasions, the farming industry was of opinion in 1924 that these traps were the only available method of preventing the serious economic loss which would be caused to agriculture by the multiplication of vermin. I am not aware that the position has changed since that time, but I will consult with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on this point, and I will communicate again with my hon. Friend.