asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state, separately, the weight value of cereals and horsefeed coupons allowed monthly in Devon and Somerset to hunting establishments.

The quantities are 61 cwt. a month of cereals for hounds and an average of 47 cwt. a month of horsefeed, the issue of which is seasonal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are far more effective methods of pest and vermin destruction, and that hunting establishments are really out of date and totally unnecessary for the purpose? Will he therefore divert these cereals and horse feeds to more essential purposes?

I can only say to my hon. Friend that rations are allowed for only one-twelfth of the horses and one-eighth of the hounds maintained on the hunt establishments before the war and that what advice is obtained is obtained from county agricultural executive committees.