§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he was aware that the bee disease, wrongfully called the Isle of Wight bee disease, had long been prevalent in Italy, and that it was first introduced into this country by bees imported from Italy; and whether, in view of the desirability of protecting British bees and beekeepers from this disease, he would take steps to restrict the importation of foreign bees from infected areas?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe possibility that the disease to which the hon. Member refers may have been introduced from abroad has been carefully considered by the experts who have investigated the matter, but there is no reason to believe either that it was imported from Italy or that it exists in foreign countries. The reply to the latter part of the question is, therefore, in the negative.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEIs the hon. Baronet aware that this disease has just spread to the Highlands of Scotland and is causing widespread destruction? Can any compulsory action be taken to stamp it out?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI was not aware of that; I will inquire.
§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLIs the hon. Baronet aware that the bee disease prevalent in the Isle of Wight was first traced to Apledurcombe Park, then occupied by Italian monks; and has it not been officially reported to the Board that it was presumed that the disease was brought into the island by bees imported from Italy, and was thus of foreign origin?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe experts said they had no reason to believe that the disease had been imported from Italy.
Mr. OLIVER LOCKER - LAMPSOMasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he had already instituted or contemplated instituting an investigation into the Isle of Wight disease of bees, with a view to shortly issuing a pamphlet giving instructions to bee-keepers for its treatment and eradication?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYYes, Sir, an investigation has been instituted and information and instruction for the guidance of bee-keepers will be issued as speedily as possible.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTHas the Board sufficient information to be able to guide beekeepers in this respect?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI hope so.