HC Deb 19 November 1908 vol 196 c1412
MR. STANIER

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will give the names of the places where black scab in potatoes has broken out in Ireland.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

The only places in Ireland where black scab in potatoes has been found are Kilkeel on the south coast of County Down, two cases, and the southern end of the Ards Peninsula on the east of the same county, one case.

MR. STANIER

inquired if seed potatoes were sent from these places to England.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

I do not think any come from County Down. There is a seed potato trade between Derry and Armagh.

MR. J. MACVEAGH

Is it not the fact that the crops in which this disease has been found are very small crops, and that this year's Irish potato crop is the best for ten years past?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Yes. The disease was found in one plot owned by the Coastguard, and in another it was found in a garden.