HC Deb 28 June 1877 vol 235 cc410-1
MR. MARK STEWART

asked the Vice President of the Council, If his attention has been called to a report in the "Pall Mall Gazette" announcing that the Colorado beetle has made its appearance in a district in Germany; and, if any precautions have been adopted to prevent its introduction in England?

VISCOUNT SANDON

I am not surprised that the hon. Gentleman should address to me a Question on this subject, owing to the great interest which it has excited. Since I saw the announcement in the newspapers with respect to the appearance of the Colorado beetle I have communicated with the Foreign Office, and they telegraphed at once to the different ports to ascertain the truth of the report. I am sorry to say that this afternoon I heard they had received a statement from the Consul General at Cologne confirming the report. The telegram is as follows:— Colorado beetle was found with numerous larvae, in a potato field near Mülheim. Yesterday, before the authorities, the field was fired with sawdust and petroleum. One beetle was seen on wing. It is feared the plague may spread. Without waiting for this answer, the Privy Council wrote at once to the Commissioners of Customs asking them to give instructions to their officers at the various ports to keep a special look out for the arrival of these destructive insects. The Commissioners of Customs have been for many years alive to the importance of this subject, and, as long ago as March, 1875, they issued a Circular to their officers to examine carefully all the potatoes that came from America, and to destroy by fire all particles of potato haulm or stalks, as well as loose soil. In November, 1876, the Commissioners issued another Memorandum, with an engraving of the beetle. We have also thought it desirable to republish at once and circulate a Memorandum issued in last October by the Canadian Minister of Agriculture, describing the habits of the beetle and suggesting the best means of getting rid of it, should it unfortunately appear. A coloured engraving of the insect is appended to the Memorandum. If my hon. Friend will look at these Papers, and thinks them of public interest, I shall be happy to lay them on the Table of the House.