§ MR. COURTHOPE (Sussex, Rye)To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, in view of the fact that American gooseberry mildew forms spores on currant leaves, which fall in autumn and infect all bushes against which they may be blown, what grounds the Board have for stating that this disease does not spread in winter; and whether the Board will reconsider their decision not to schedule the counties of Sussex and Bedfordshire.
(Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The Board are advised that the autumn spores of American gooseberry mildew 717 are not infectious, and that it is unnecessary, therefore, to adopt the suggestion made by the hon. Member. All possible steps will be taken to prevent the spread of the disease, when the time for further action arrives.