§ Mr. Copeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects that the badger control programme in part of South Gloucestershire and North Avon will begin; and if he will take into account the evidence that tuberculosis in badgers is spreading outside that area.
§ Mr. StrangSurveying of badger sets in South Gloucestershire and North Avon is in progress. Gassing operations will start here early in November. We are aware of the existence of infected badger colonies elsewhere in those counties and in other parts of South-West England. Gassing operations in the localised areas concerned will commence as soon as they have been surveyed and the necessary staff have been recruited and trained.