§ 48. Mr. de ROTHSCHILDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the rapid spread of Colorado beetle on the Continent, he intends to take any steps to prevent the importation of potatoes affected by this disease in future; and whether he will consider setting up a committee to deal with the whole question of plant diseases?
§ Dr. ADDISONI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30th March last to a question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Rosbotham). The Order therein referred to has since been made and comes into force to-day. It prohibits the importation from France of potatoes and certain other produce grown within 75 kilometres of any place where the beetle has been known to exist. France is the only European country in which the 22 Colorado beetle is known to exist. As regards the second part of the question I do not feel that any useful purpose would be served by setting up a committee.
§ Mr. ROSSIn view of the much more deadly nature of this pest than wart disease, would it not be desirable to follow the example of the United States, which refuses to allow any potatoes to be imported into that country because of wart disease?
§ Dr. ADDISONWe went into this matter with very great care a short time ago, and I am satisfied that this extension of prohibition is as far as we are warranted in going at present.