§ MR. LAURENCE HARDYI 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 a new destructive disease affecting potatoes, known as black scab, has been lately introduced into England, and is known to have occurred in nine counties in Scotland, the Board of Agriculture are taking any steps under the powers conferred on them by the Destructive Insects and Pest Act, 1907, to limit the spread of the disease; and whether the Board will at once take steps to keep the infected areas under the supervision of a competent inspector, in order to prevent the disease being spread through the sale of such potatoes from these areas.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYA leaflet descriptive of the disease to which the hon. Member refers and of the measures to be taken with respect to it has been printed both in English and Welsh and widely circulated. The possibility of dealing with the disease under the Act of last Session is under consideration. The enforcement of any Order 1093 which may be issued will rest with the local authorities.
§ MR. LAURENCE HARDYWill the Board take care to exercise supervision?
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYreplied in the affirmative.