§ Mr. STANIERasked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether his attention has been called to the notice issued by the Department of Agriculture of Ireland warning the Irish importers to avoid English-grown potatoes; if the Board of Agriculture have yet any information regarding the spread of black scab in potatoes; and if the Board are taking any steps to prevent this disease spreading other than leaflets?
§ Captain NORTON (Lord of the Treasury)We have not seen the notice to which the hon. Member refers, but we will 2140 communicate with the Department of Agriculture for Ireland on the subject. Inquiries are being made as to the extent of the spread of black scab, but until the crop has been harvested we shall not be in a position to give definite information on this point. In addition to our publication of leaflets we are endeavouring through our inspectors, officers of local authorities and members of the staff of agricultural colleges, to advise potato-growers as to the nature of the disease and the precautions to be taken to prevent its spread.
§ Mr. STANIERWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman call the attention of the hon. Member for South Somerset to the fact that I sent him this notice myself?
§ Captain NORTONCertainly.