16. Major HOPEasked the Secretary for Scotland if he will say what steps the Board of Agriculture for Scotland are taking to secure that fruit and vegetables which are imported from abroad and distributed through the country without being exposed for sale in markets are not infected with American gooseberry mildew or other notifiable disease?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe Board of Agriculture for Scotland do not consider that the risk of the disease being spread by imported fruit and vegetables is as great as that of its being spread from infected gardens and nurseries in this country. The efforts of the staff at the disposal of the Board are therefore concentrated principally upon the inspection of gardens and nurseries.
Major HOPEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Report of the Scottish Board of Agriculture there is a statement that disease was found in a jam factory in Perthshire of the fruit imported from abroad?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThat may be, but I do not think it likely that it caused the spread of the disease.
Major HOPECan the right hon. Gentleman not take some steps to protect Scottish producers from imported diseased fruit?