§ Sir R. THOMASasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if he can make a statement regarding the disease which is reported to be destroying the trees in the Forest of Dean; what measures are being adopted to deal with it; and are woodlands in other parts of the country similarly threatened?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEAlarmist reports with reference to the Forest of Dean are in some degree exaggerated. In the past the oaks have suffered severely from caterpillar and fungus attacks, but for the last three years they have enjoyed almost complete immunity from the caterpillar, as have the oaks in other parts of the country. Owing to the possibility of a recrudescence of the trouble investigations are proceeding with a view to discovering methods of controlling future outbreaks of the caterpillar.