asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry in view of the invaluable service being given by the wildlife rangers in his Department, if he will now consider increasing the number to 66 as originally proposed so as to ensure proper coverage of the country.

It is not proposed to increase the number of wildlife rangers. My Department employs 47 rangers to enforce the provisions of the Wildlife Act.

Every effort is being made to ensure that the available force is deployed to optimum advantage throughout the country as a whole.