§ Colonel Beamishasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the bonus scheme for grey squirrel tails is to be discontinued when there are clear signs that the numbers of this pest may be increasing; what has been the average cost of this scheme each year since it began; and if he will reconsider the decision.
§ Mr. John HareThe Forestry Commissioners decided to discontinue the scheme because it has not proved successful in controlling the grey squirrel population and the expenditure on it is not therefore justified.
The cost in each financial year the scheme has been in operation was:
1953–54 … … £11,500 1954–55 … … £14,000 1955–56 … … £8,500 1956–57 … … £20,500 1957–58 … … £26,500