§ MR. SNOWDEN (Blackburn)I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board are aware that a new and destructive disease of potatoes, known as black scab, has lately been introduced into England, and that outbreaks have now occurred in nine counties, in some cases causing serious losses in allotment gardens; whether the Board are aware that the disease is now being distributed in seed potatoes from affected areas; and whether the Board, in order to prevent this disease from spreading through the country, will deal with the matter at once under the powers conferred on them by the Destructive Insects and Pests Act. 1907.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYPerhaps my hon. friend will refer to the replies I gave to similar Questions on the 4th and 6th instant.