asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet satisfied that a humane substitute has been found in Scotland for the gin traps: and if he will make a statement.

No humane and reasonably effective substitute for the gin trap has yet been found for use under Scottish conditions against foxes and otters, which are the only two remaining permissible uses. Every effort is being made to find a satisfactory alternative.

Since a suitable humane trap has been found for England and Wales, why could not my hon. Friend authorise a similar trap for Scotland?

I think that that is putting a slightly different inflection on the problem. Most of Scotland is hill country where it is extremely difficult to hunt foxes efficiently. It is also very difficult to gas them. In Scotland foxes do a great deal of damage to lambs, which form a much higher proportion of the livestock population than they do in England.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for Ayr (Sir T. Moore) is of the opinion that a humane alternative to the gin trap is birth control pills for rabbits? Is he further aware that the rabbit problem is causing great concern in Ayrshire and that we would welcome a safe period-say, between April and October? Does the hon. Gentleman know that the only reason why the hon. Member for Ayr does not advocate this is that he is awaiting a decision by the eminent ecclesiastical authorities?

I say to the hon. Member in reply to his suggestion about contraceptives for rabbits that many a true word is spoken in jest.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) is talking complete nonsense, as he very often does?