§ 69. Captain MURRAYasked if the President of the Board of Agriculture can give any indication as to the extent of the opposition to the Bee Disease Bill; and whether, if the opposition does not represent the vast bulk of bee-keepers in all parts of the country, he will proceed with the Bill at all costs this Session?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have no means of measuring the extent of the opposition outside of the House to this Bill. But I find that it comes mainly from some gentlemen whose bees have not yet been visited by Isle of Wight disease.
§ Mr. MORRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman proceed with the Bill?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf it could be treated as an unopposed Bill I should be delighted to see it pass.
§ Mr. RAFFANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that large meetings in the country have opposed the Bill, and in view of the fact that there can be no opportunity of the Bill going through as an unopposed measure, will he consider the advisability of withdrawing it this Session and appointing a Departmental Committee?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot agree that the Bill has been opposed at large meetings in the country. The largest meetings in England and Scotland have petitioned very strongly in its favour. The Bill has been considered very fully by a Committee, and I can make no other proposal for dealing with it.