§ 22. Mr. R. Bellasked the Minister of Agriculture how many workable area committees for the discussion of rat-catching have been set up by his Department; what advantages are expected to accrue from them and what cost to public funds is involved.
§ Sir T. DugdaleNo such committees have been set up by my Department; however there are about 120 of these committees which have been set up by neighbouring local authorities to secure co-ordinated action against rats and mice over wide areas. The cost is small and is met by the constituent authorities.
§ 29. Mr. R. Bellasked the Minister of Agriculture how many people are employed by his Department in England and Wales in connection with rat-catching; and how many of them actually catch rats.
§ Sir T. Dugdale1,104. of whom 979 are engaged in actually catching rates.