§ 85. Mr. E. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to control the spread of myxomatosis.
§ 88. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Minister of Agriculture why he is spending money and effort on the wiring-in of those warrens in the county of Kent wherein the rabbits are infected with myxomatosis.
§ Sir T. DugdaleIt cannot be taken for granted that, because wild rabbits are a pest and myxomatosis destroys them, we should allow the disease to spread from the initial outbreaks in this country. Its effectiveness might well diminish in course of time; but its disadvantages would remain. We cannot lightly accept the establishment of a new virus disease; nor can we disregard the humanitarian aspect. The disease affects domestic as well as wild rabbits.
As I announced in the House on 29th October, the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have appointed a committee to advise us on the problems raised by the disease, and in the meantime my Department is making every effort to contain and destroy rabbits in the three known centres of infection. The committee is in full agreement with the action so far taken.
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§ Sir L. Ropnerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now make a statement concerning the proposal that rabbits should be infected with the disease which has proved successful in reducing the rabbit population in Australia and in France.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I have given today to the hon. Members for Derbyshire, West (Mr. E. Wakefield) and Brigg (Mr. E. L. Mallalieu).