asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that wire netting is no longer obtainable for fencing against rabbits; whether the war agricultural executive committees have the power, in cases where netting is not obtainable, to require tenants to reduce rabbits by gassing; and what is the procedure when the person thus instructed is an elderly woman unable to do such work?
In reply to the first part of the Question, it is only in Very exceptional circumstances that wire netting can be released for fencing against rabbits; the reply to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative; in reply to the third part of the Question, if an occupier is herself unable to comply, or to obtain the necessary labour to enable her to comply with the requirements of an order made by a county war agricultural executive committee under the Rabbits Order, 1940, the committee can arrange to carry out the work on behalf, and at the expense, of the occupier.