§ MR. LAMBERTI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether in cases of American pears imported into Hamburg large quantities of live scale insects were found, which were quite capable of contaminating the orchards of that country; and, whether any danger of like infection from similar causes exists in this country; if so, having regard to the growing importance of orchards, will he take prompt steps to prevent any infection?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREThe official information which we have received from the German Government goes to show that the reply to the first inquiry is in the affirmative. With regard to the second, I cannot say that there is no fear of the arrival of the pest in question in this country, and, as I indicated in reply to the Question put to me by my hon. Friend for the Woodstock Division on Tuesday last, I am in communication with experts on the subject with a view to ascertain whether any practical steps could be taken by us in the interest of British fruit-growers.