§ 31. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the concern arising from the widespread destruction of bees by the increasing use of chemical sprays; what consideration has been given to the matter; and what action by his Department is contemplated.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. John Hare)I agree that concern was caused by serious losses of bees last June, but these were due to abnormal weather conditions. I consider that the best way of meeting this problem is by co-operation between farmers, spraying contractors and beekeepers, and 579 by continued education and advice. My Department is helping in all this. For instance, a meeting this month has been arranged of all the interested organisations to discuss the present position.
§ Mr. DoddsIn view of the evidence of famous scientists about the misuse of sprays, will the Minister bear in mind that many experts think that it is about time that a Royal Commission made an investigation into the effects of these sprays, as there is a feeling that their use is doing a tremendous amount of damage?
§ Mr. HareAs I have said, we are very much in touch with this situation, but I do not think that we should be too alarmist. Bees have remarkable social habits. The men do no work. The working population consists of the females, except for the queen. I am glad to say that in this case my advice is that, although much of the working population may have been destroyed, the colonies usually recover.
§ Mr. PagetIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this relates not only to bees? Tomatoes are also involved, and so are other things. As these sprays constitute a considerable danger to neighbours, is it not time that there should be supervision?
§ Mr. HareAs the Question was connected with bees, I am sure that the hon. and learned Gentleman will be good enough to put down a Question to me on the general subject of sprays.