§ Mr. Toucheasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious losses sustained by poultry keepers in the district of Redhill and Salfords, Surrey, owing to foxes; and whether any steps are being taken to abate this nuisance?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI am aware that losses from foxes have been sustained in Surrey, generally by poultry keepers who have not kept their poultry fastened up at night. Steps have been taken by the pest staff of the Surrey war agricultural executive committee to reduce the number of foxes by gassing their earths in March and April; fox drives have been organised and carried out in many districts. It is proposed to extend these activities. At the present time, however, it is most difficult to deal with foxes effectively because of the excessive undergrowth and standing corn, but the matter is in hand and all possible measures will be taken to abate the nuisance in the Redhill and Salfords districts.