§ 8. Mr. Peter M. Jacksonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the recent outbreaks of Dutch elm disease, he will instruct the Forestry Research Station at Alice Holt to undertake work on the pathology of Dutch elm disease.
§ Mr. MackieAs I believe my hon. Friend is aware, there has already been a great deal of research on Dutch elm disease both at home and abroad. The Forestry Commission is now concentrating on testing and selecting strains of elm which are resistant to the disease, since the planting of resistant strains appears to offer the most satisfactory solution to the problem in the long term.
§ Mr. JacksonMay I congratulate my hon. Friend on that reply? May I ask him whether he will, when the survey has been undertaken—and I hope that it will be done with a sense of urgency—make the findings known to as many interested parties as possible?
§ Mr. MackieI will see that that point is noted.
§ Sir D. RentonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the strongest and most beautiful of all elm is the Huntingdon elm and that this is resistant to the Dutch elm disease? Will he invite the attention of all concerned to this fact?
§ Mr. MackieYes.