§ MR. LAURENCE HARDY (Kent, Ashford)I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture; whether, in view of the fact that outbreaks of the American gooseberry mildew in its highly infectious summer stage have occurred within the last few days in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Norfolk, and that this disease, which is described in the Board's recent circular as having rendered the culture of gooseberries unprofitable and practically impossible wherever it has appeared, spreads with great rapidity by the spores produced in this stage, the Board will place the outbreaks under the charge of one or more properly qualified mycologists to supervise the carrying out of those measures necessary to secure the eradication of the disease.
§ THE TREASURER OF THE HOUSE. HOLD (Sir EDWARD STRACHEY, Somer setshire, S.)The Destructive Insects and Pests Bill, which will I hope receive 1391 the Royal Assent in a few days, imposes on the local authorities the duty of taking the necessary steps to prevent the spread of this disease, but the Board will gladly supply any information and assistance which it is in their power to afford. An inspector has been instructed to go down to Norfolk in order to arrange for the destruction of the affected bushes and the disinfection of the gardens. Similar precautions are being adopted in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.