HC Deb 21 April 1947 vol 436 cc604-5
50. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture why no action was taken for 36 hours after his Department had received a report on 29th March of the discovery of a Colorado beetle on spinach purchased at a London store; and what steps he is taking, in view of the increased imports of vegetables from the Continent, to ensure that immediate action is taken in such cases in the future.

Mr. T. Williams

The report of this discovery was made by telephone on the evening of Saturday, 29th March, during a period when the flood situation in the Fens was most menacing, and was unfortunately directed to an officer of my Department concerned with flood precautions. This error, which is regretted, occasioned a delay of some two hours, and steps are being taken to avoid similar errors in future. The beetle was, however, collected by the police later the same evening for transmission to the Ministry's laboratory for identification. Subsequent action when, as in this case, a Colorado beetle is found on imported produce is directed towards ascertaining the origin and distribution of the produce and examining the remainder of the consignment, and involves inquiries of salesmen and others concerned with the importation and distribution. Such action was taken in this case at the earliest possible moment after the beetle had been identified at the laboratory.

Mr. Hurd:

Can the Minister say what was "the earliest possible moment" in this case? Was it longer than 36 hours, because a beetle, or several beetles at large, can do a lot of damage in that time?

Mr. Williams

As I informed the hon. Gentleman, the delay was only two hours, not 36.

Mr. Hurd

But it was much longer by the time it was identified in the laboratory.

Mr. Williams

The inspection was only delayed by two hours, after which the police were able to receive the Colorado beetle, which was immediately transmitted to the laboratory.

Mr. Hurd

There may have been 700 others in the same consignment.

Mr. Williams

Only one was reported, anyway.