asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will re-introduce grant aid for rabbit clearance societies in Wales, in view of the rate of increase in the rabbit population at the present time.

No. As stated in the White Paper on Proposed Changes in the Work of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Cmnd. 4564) this form of support is not in line with the Government's declared objectives. The clearance of rabbits is the proper responsibility of the occupier of the land.