HC Deb 11 April 1946 vol 421 cc347-8W
Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Agriculture in view of the fact that smallbore rifles used to kill vermin have been re- called, what steps he is taking to prevent an increase in vermin.

Mr. T. Williams:

I do not consider that any surrender of firearms as a result of the recent appeal is likely to affect the work of the county war agricultural executive committees in regard to the control of vermin and land pests. The committees have wide powers, and an organisation which includes some 2,000 trained operators; the campaign against rats is based almost entirely on poisoning, gassing and trapping.