asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations have been received by his Department in the last year, drawing to his attention the increasing threat to farming by foxes and calling for Government action.

The Department has had continuing discussions and correspondence with interested bodies about various aspects of pest control throughout the year. Arising from this the National Farmers' Union of Scotland made representations to my right hon. Friend about difficulties of fox control in certain specific situations, but no representation has been received about an increasing threat to farming in general by foxes and calling for government action. A number of individual fox destruction clubs have, however, asked that the level of grant in support of their activities be increased.