HC Deb 24 February 1930 vol 235 cc1864-6
61. Mr. W. B. TAYLOR

asked the Minister of Agriculture the reasons which prevent the export of potatoes from this country to Canada and to the United States?

Mr. N. BUXTON

The importation of potatoes into Canada and the United States of America from this country was prohibited by the Governments of those countries on account of the existence of wart disease in the United Kingdom.

Major ROSS

Has the right hon. Gentleman offered this country and the Dominions potatoes certified as being from areas free from disease, and, if so, what reply has been received?

Mr. BUXTON

Yes, we have been in communication, but we have not been successful in our negotiations.

Major ROSS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what grounds Canada refuses to accept potatoes from this country?

Mr. BUXTON

Canada holds the right to take every precaution against disease, which, we cannot deny, exists in some quarters.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

Is that not largely due to the continued importation of potatoes from the Continent to this country.

Mr. BUXTON

No, Sir, I think not.

Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLAND

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to give certificates of freedom from wart disease, and, in that case, would not the Canadian Government be likely to accept them?

Mr. BUXTON

We should be prepared to do so in certain areas, but the Canadian Government are not satisfied with that.

67. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the risk of infection from black scab and other potato diseases by the unrestricted importation of foreign potatoes; and what steps he is taking to prevent this risk?

Mr. BUXTON

The importation of potatoes into this country is not unrestricted. Importation from certain countries is entirely prohibited and from others allowed only under restrictions. In all cases where importation is allowed, the potatoes are required to be accompanied by an official certificate of health. I am sending copies of the relevant Orders to the hon. and gallant Member.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the prohibitions are working satisfactorily?

Mr. BUXTON

Yes, Sir.

Sir JOSEPH LAMB

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the certificates given by the French are of more value than the certificates that he is prepared to give to the Canadians?

Mr. BUXTON

No, Sir. I cannot say that.

68. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the crops of home-grown potatoes are more than sufficient to supply the consumption demand till such time as new home-grown potatoes are normally ready for use, he will take steps to restrict the import of foreign potatoes, by licence or otherwise, until the necessity for their free import arises?

Mr. BUXTON

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Newbury (Brigadier-General Brown) on the 17th instant, of which I am sending him a copy.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any steps are being taken to deal with this situation?

Mr. BUXTON

The restrictions on the import of foreign potatoes in this manner has been precluded by the Geneva Convention, which was signed by the late Government.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Why cannot the right hon. Gentleman adopt exactly the same attitude as Canada and the United States' have adopted?

Captain CROOKSHANK

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Convention is in force? Has it been ratified?

Mr. BUXTON

Yes, it is in force.

69. Lieut. - Colonel SPENDER-CLAY

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has received any information to the effect that the ravages of the Colorado beetle have extended to the St. Malo district, in France; and what steps have been taken to protect the potato industry in this country from the introduction of that pest?

Mr. BUXTON

No, Sir; on the contrary, the French Government has given its assurance that the Colorado beetle does not exist within a radius of 250 kilometres round St. Malo. The importation of potatoes from France is restricted to those officially certified as having been grown more than 40 kilometres from any place where the beetle exists or has existed.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of taking up the same attitude towards France as Canada takes up towards this country?

Mr. BUXTON

We are very strict in regard to imports.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

Does the right hon. Gentleman ever take any steps in regard to these certified potatoes to Bee that the certificate is correct?

Mr. BUXTON

Yes, Sir. The restrictions are very rigorously exercised.