53. Lieut.-Commander Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, before the commencement of the next fruit spraying season, he will arrange for his experts to make a categorical statement as to the extent to which D.D.T. can usefully and safely be employed in this connection.
§ Mr. T. Williams. I am arranging for a notice to be published regarding the use of D.D.T. by farmers and horticulturists. But until further research and experiment on the practical application of this new insecticide to agriculture and horticulture 23 have been carried out, any statement issued must necessarily be in general terms.
Lieut.-Commander WilliamsIn view of the alarmist reports that one reads in the Press about D.D.T. possibly being able to destroy fruit trees, will the Minister be good enough to see that his advice is given with the shortest delay?
§ Mr. WilliamsI can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the notice will be issued long before the next spraying season.