§ 32. Mr. STANIERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the losses of bees in the Morden district through the Isle of Wight disease; and has he got any information for or against to justify the statement that the prevalence of the disease is attributed to the tarring of the roads in the district?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)From the information in the possession of the Board it seems probable that the mortality of bees in the Morden district is caused by Isle of Wight disease. I was not aware of the suggestion that the disease is due to the tarring of roads, but I am advised that, so far as can be judged front the results of the scientific investigation into Isle of Wight disease, this does not appear likely to be the true explanation.
§ 33. Mr. STANIERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, having regard to the increase in the Isle of Wight bee disease and the want of knowledge regarding the disease, he can see his way to appoint a Departmental Committee to go into the whole question?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANScientific investigations into Isle of Wight disease have already been made by Mr. Graham Smith and others on behalf of the Board and will be continued; for the present I do not think that there would be any advantage in referring the question to a Departmental Committee. But I will bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. STANIERIs it a fact that our scientists are absolutely at variance with those on the Continent on this matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo; I am not aware of that fact. We get the best scientific advice we can obtain in this country.