§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to state the exact figure, computed by his experts, of the damage done by rabbits to British agriculture, not including forestry, to the most recent convenient date; on what acreages he bases this figure; and how far it is based upon sample tests from limited acreages only.
Mr. AmoryNo exact figure of rabbit damage can be computed. In their report of March, 1954, the Myxomatosis Advisory Committee estimated the loss or potential loss caused by the depredations of the rabbit to agriculture and forestry before myxomatosis at some £45 million to £60 million per annum. The basis of this estimate is set out in the Report.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost of recent bulldozing operations by pest officers on Danbury and Lingwood Commons, Essex; how many rabbits were killed; and what complaints he has received from the Danbury Parish Council and other persons about these operations.
Mr. AmoryA survey by the county pests staff showed that a breeding stock of wild rabbits remained on Danbury and 225W Lingwood Commons which were a potential danger to neighbouring farm land. The cost of bulldozing rides through the dense scrub was £30 15s. 0d. The rabbit burrows thus exposed are being gassed and the rabbits living above ground will be driven to the open rides and shot. The work was carried out with the consent of the local committee of the National Trust, the occupiers. Representations were received from the Danbury Preservation Committee, the Danbury Parish Council and its Chairman.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost of the various rabbit clearance demonstrations now being staged in various counties by the pest officers and agricultural executive committees; and what has been the cost in the county of West Sussex to date.
Mr. AmoryRabbit clearance demonstrations have been staged in recent months in Essex, Staffordshire and Bedfordshire as part of the normal duties of the county pests staff at a total cost to the Ministry of about £50. No demonstration has been staged in West Sussex.