§ Captain Corfieldasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the review of the State pest destruction service recommended by the Wilson Committee has now been completed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John HareWhile I appreciate that those farmers who have made use of this service for the destruction of rats and mice have found it a great convenience, I am satisfied that it should be possible for them to make alternative arrangements with private contractors, through local authorities, or by doing the work themselves. I have therefore decided that no further contracts for the destruction of rats and mice shall be entered into by the Ministry, and that the service should not continue after 1st April, 1959. This decision will enable staff economies of some 200 operators to be made in due course. Work on rabbit and mole destruction will continue and adequate staff for this purpose will be retained.