§ 7. Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any deputation or deputations have waited upon him or upon the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board to express objections to the provisions of the Bee Disease Bill; if so, of whom such deputation or deputations were composed; and whether any sympathy was expressed on behalf of the Board with their representations?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIn my unavoidable absence, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board recently received on my behalf a deputation consisting mainly of gentlemen who own a large number of hives, and, in some cases at any rate, make their living out of bee-keeping. I learn from a shorthand report of the proceedings that they were by no means opposed to legislation dealing with bee diseases; and their observations were directed, not against the objects of the Bill now before the House, but against abuses which in their opinion might arise in the administration of the duties imposed by the Bill upon the Board and local authorities. My Noble Friend's reply to the deputation was sympathetic. Although some of the fears expressed have little or no foundation, the Board fully recognise the necessity of proceeding with great caution, and they will give most careful consideration to all suggestions made by these experienced bee-keepers, whose knowledge and co-operation would be invaluable in the investigation and suppression of bee diseases.