§ Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the fish disease, columnaris, is increasing and is likely to spread all over the country; what steps are being taken to prevent the spread of this disease; and whether it has been referred to the appropriate fisheries research organisation.
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§ Mr. PeartAs regards the first two parts of the Question I have nothing to add to the statement by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary in the debate on the Diseases of Fish Order, 1966 on 14th July and to the reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Kimball) on the 10th August. Research into the disease is being undertaken by the Fishery Departments in collaboration with the Public Health Laboratory Service.