§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the suspending of the prohibition on placing steel traps in the open is still essential, particularly in view of the decrease in rabbits; and whether he will consider the cancellation of the Orders concerned.
Mr. HudsonThe wild rabbit, though considerably reduced in numbers, is still a pest whose destruction is essential in the48W interests of food production. I am, however, considering whether the emergency relaxation of the prohibition of the use of steel traps in the open need be continued.