§ 32. Mr. P. WHITEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture whether, if the public interest require the destruction of gooseberry bushes affected with American mildew, there is any and, if so, what machinery for compensating the owners for the loss of what in many cases is the sole means of livelihood of an industrious class; and, if at present there is no power to compensate, will he consider the introduction of a short Bill enabling compensation to be awarded for the loss of income?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe county council may grant compensation in such cases. The Department have no power to do so.
§ Mr. P. WHITECan the Department state the value of the portions destroyed?
§ Mr. RUSSELLYes, there are inspectors that perform that service.
§ 33. Mr. P. WHITEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture whether he is aware that complaints have been made that inspectors from his Department have visited gardens where American gooseberry mildew existed and, without undergoing any process of disinfection, proceeded to healthy gardens owned by other people; and whether such conduct is in accordance with the practice of the Department?
§ Mr. RUSSELLIt is true that a few such complaints have been made, but on inquiry the Department were satisfied that all necessary precautions were taken by the inspectors.
§ 34. Mr. P. WHITEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture whether, by order of his Department, a number of gooseberry bushes were destroyed in county Meath because of the existence of what is known as American mildew; and will he say under what Section or Sub-section of what Act he claims the power to destroy on a wholesale scale the bushes which were the sole means of livelihood of a number of people without awarding any compensation whatever?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. The procedure is under the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts, 1877 and 1907.
§ 7. Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, by order of his Department, any and, if so, "what quantity of gooseberry bushes were destroyed because of the existence of American mildew; were the owners compensated; and, if so, out of what sources?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo gooseberry bushes have been destroyed by order of the Board since 1908. A few were destroyed in that year, but no compensation was paid.