§ 15. Mr. Priorasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what progress is being made by units in this country, sponsored by his Department, conducting research into locust control; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. CarrThe work of the Anti-Locust Research Centre has become the basis for the international strategy of locust control. Two of the major types of plague locust have now been under control for over 10 years and a third is at its lowest ebb for 24 years. The cost of killing a swarm of locusts has been reduced by 98 per cent. compared with 20 years ago. The Centre has recently moved into new premises which will provide increased scope for its work.
§ Mr. PriorIn welcoming my right hon. Friend's reply, may I ask, in view of the importance of helping the underdeveloped countries, what assistance his Department is giving to countries in which there are locusts towards their own research?
Mr. CarrOn the whole, the research is done here in Britain and we are regarded as the international centre for it. Much field work is done overseas by those employed at the centre in London but the basic research is done here. The House might like to know—and, I hope, will not be too frightened to learn—that something like 1 million locusts are bred at Kensington every year for this research.
§ Mr. J. HyndIs the Minister satisfied that sufficient is being done through the world organisations for locust control to ensure that the swarms are destroyed in 606 their place of origin rather than allowed to come over to be destroyed elsewhere?
Mr. CarrI am sure that they never come here to be destroyed. There is great international co-operation in this matter. I visited the Centre a few weeks ago and in one room I saw how information was coming in from the United States satellites showing weather conditions, and, therefore, swarm conditions, in various parts of the world. This is a field in which there really is close international co-operation.