§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that great damage is done every year to the hides of cattle by the use of heavy barbed wire for fencing; if he has considered the elimination of such loss by the substitution of a light wire electrified to a low voltage of about 12 volts; and whether he will take the appropriate steps to make the use of such electrified wire obligatory with a view to increasing the quality and value of hides produced in this country?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the use of heavy barbed wire as fencing. It is a matter for individual farmers to decide what type of fencing is most appropriate for their needs, and I am not prepared to take steps to make the use of any particular kind of fencing compulsory.