HC Deb 29 June 1943 vol 390 cc1478-9W
Sir J. Graham Kerr

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what importance is attached to the wild rabbit as an element in the nation's food supply; and to what extent supplies of wild rabbits have to be taken into account in providing the public with nourishment sufficient to maintain health?

Mr. Mabane

From the point of view of agriculture, the wild rabbit is a serious pest and occupiers of agricultural land are accordingly encouraged to do all in their power to reduce them to the smallest possible number. Rabbit meat is a useful supplement to the meat ration, especially as providing variety, but it cannot be regarded as an essential food. The available supplies of wild rabbits are relatively small and it is not anticipated that, for the rest of the war, they will provide more than a negligible proportion of the food required to maintain the health of the nation.