§ Mr. SANDERSONasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to cases of the so-called Isle of Wight bee disease in the Keswick and Cockermouth districts; whether he is aware that such cases are traceable to swarms brought from the South of England, where the disease prevails; and whether he proposes to take any, and what, steps to prevent the spreading of the disease?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Board have no information as to the presence of the disease in the locality named, but they have reason to believe that the disease exists a little to the south of it. There is evidence to show that the outbreaks which have occurred in the north are probably attributable to the importation of diseased or infected bees. The Board have no powers at present for dealing with bee diseases; but, as I informed the House on November 22nd, I am considering what steps it may be desirable or possible to take for the purpose, and I propose during the recess to communicate with the leading authorities on the subject.