§ Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present situation with regard to the increase in the rabbit population; and to what extent rabbits have developed immunity where myxomatosis has been prevalent previously.
§ Mr. John HareRabbit numbers have tended to increase following a favourable breeding season, but the increases have been checked where rabbit clearance societies are in operation. Although the progress in the formation of new societies is being maintained, there are many vulnerable gaps, and I strongly urge all farmers in these danger spots to join a clearance society. The number of rabbits developing immunity to myxomatosis varies widely in different areas. Weakened strains of the virus have been found in 32 per cent. (120 cases) of rabbits examined from areas where myxomatosis was known to be present but not fully lethal.