48. Mr. McKIEasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to see that the Ministry of Agriculture shall in future be as strict with regard to the licensing of imported potatoes for seed purposes as the Department of Agriculture for Scotland is?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe regulations governing the entry and planting of imported potatoes have been in operation for some eight years, and have proved effective in preventing the introduction of wart disease. They are, however, reconsidered from time to time in the light of experience and I will give the matter my attention.
Mr. McKIEIs my right hon. Friend aware that considerable apprehension is felt in Scotland as to the laxity of the English authorities in this direction, having regard to the danger of disease from potatoes imparted from abroad?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAll I can say is that I am looking into the matter at the present time.