§ 47. Mr. Cormackasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that adequate measures are now being taken through out the country to combat Dutch elm disease; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MillsAdequate powers to contain the disease, mainly by the felling of infectious trees, have been made available to local authorities and have been taken by nearly all the eligible authorities in the area worst affected. The results notified to date vary but there is evidence that a great deal of work has been done by most of the authorities concerned. They will continue to receive advice and encouragement in their efforts with this difficult problem from the Forestry Commission, which has already contributed £100,000 to their extra administrative expenses and is urgently pursuing its investigations into the disease.