SECOND READING. (Hansard, 8 August 1877)

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDON

said, he had to ask their Lordships to give a second reading to a short Bill entitled the Destructive Insects Bill, which was rendered necessary by the fear entertained in the country that the Colorado beetle might make its appearance during the Recess, and if so, cause considerable devastation to the crops of the country. At the present moment, supposing it were to make its appearance, there was no power in the Privy Council to take any steps to prevent the spread of this most destructive insect. According to all reports the ravages which it committed could scarely be exaggerated. Fortunately, though we had not any experience up to the 598 present time of its powers of devastation, yet the experience of other countries led the Privy Council to think that it would be advisable for them to obtain power before Parliament was prorogued to deal with this insect, in case it should make its appearance in this country during the Recess. The Bill authorized the Privy Council to make such Orders as they might from time to time think expedient for preventing the introduction into Great Britain of this insect, to prohibit or regulate the landing in Great Britain of potatoes, or of the stalks or leaves of potatoes, or other vegetable substance or article, the landing of which might appear likely to introduce it; and to direct or authorize the destruction of any such articles when landed. The Bill further authorized the Privy Council to make Orders to prevent the spread of the insect should it appear; they might authorize the removal or destruction of any crop or substance on which the insect might, at any state of its existence, be found, or by means of which it might seem likely to spread. They might impose penalties for offences against the Order; not exceeding £10 for any offence, recoverable with costs on summary conviction, and applicable as under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, 1869. Of course, the Bill provided that compensation should be paid for crops or other articles destroyed under the Order in Council; in the case of crops on which the insect in any stage of existence was found, not to exceed one half the value of the crop; in every other case, not exceeding three-fourths of the value. The local authorities under the proposed Act were the same as in the case of the Cattle Plague Regulations issued by the Privy Council. One important clause in the Bill made it punishable by fine for any person to keep, sell, or expose, or offer for sale, a living specimen of the Colorado beetle at any stage of its existence; and this was the more necessary because, odd as it might appear, the Colorado beetle was advertized for sale in numerous newspapers of the day by persons who said they possessed specimens and were willing to sell them to those naturalists who took an interest in its appearance. Fearing that this practice might lead to the propagation of the insect in various parts of the country, the Privy Council thought it absolutely necessary to introduce into this Bill a 599 clause punishing persons who contravened the Act in that respect. The powers given to the Privy Council in England were given also to the Privy Council in Ireland, with certain necessary variations; and it was also provided that the Orders made by the Privy Council under the Bill should be laid before Parliament within 10 days after the making thereof, if Parliament were then sitting; if not, then within 10 days of the next meeting. Believing that this Bill was necessary, and that it was expedient they should at once deal with the question in this manner, he hoped their Lordships would give it a second reading.