§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the right hon, and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he is aware that a farmer whose oats crop and kale were eaten by rabbits from woods cleared by the Forestry Commission was, on Monday, 9th October, 1939, awarded, in a sheriff court in Scotland, £75 damages; that the farmer had asked permission to destroy the rabbits on the cleared ground but such permission was not granted; and what steps the Forestry Commission propose to take to make the rabbits on lands belonging to the Commission available as food for the people?
§ Sir G. CourthopeI am not aware of the case referred to by the hon. Member, but have asked for a full report. It is the practice of the Forestry Commission to wage unceasing war on rabbits, and to place on the market all the rabbits obtained by trappers in their employ. The Department's tenants deal with rabbits obtained by them.