§ 34. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the imports of Dutch black currants into this country; and whether, in view of the danger of big bud, which is prevalent in Holland, he will, for the sake of maintaining healthy home-grown crops, consider the advisability of prohibiting the import of these foreign black currants?
Mr. GUINNESSI am advised that the risk of the conveyance of the black currant mite through the medium of black currants imported from Holland is negligible. The answer to the latter part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is, therefore, in the negative.
§ 35. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the numerous complaints with regard to mildewed Dutch gooseberries being imported into this country and the danger of contaminating the mildew-free bushes of this country, he will prohibit the import of this fruit?
Mr. GUINNESSImported gooseberries are required to be accompanied by an official certificate of freedom from disease. If any unhealthy consignments were found by the Ministry's inspectors their destruction or re-export would be ordered, but in no case has it been necessary to take this action in respect of Dutch gooseberries this season, and no complaints have been made to the Ministry on this subject. In these circumstances I do not see my way to take the action suggested.
§ Mr.THURTLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his agricultural friends will be very disappointed if any kind of foreign fruit is allowed to come into this country?
§ Mr.THURTLEIt was cherries first; now it is gooseberries.
Mr. GUINNESSThe cases are not in any way to be compared, because in this country we are absolutely free from the cherry maggot, whereas, unfortunately, we are not free from gooseberry mildew.
Commander WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the quality of this fruit, although it may not be mildewed fruit in every case, is infinitely lower than that of British fruit?