§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the policy of de-barking imported timber has been discontinued; and to what extent this has contributed to the epidemic of Dutch elm disease.
§ Mr. StrangControls of the importation of elm timber are contained in the Importation of Wood (Prohibition) (Great Britain) Order 1974. Since its inception, there has been no change in the policy of requiring the removal of bark from elm wood to be imported into Great Britain. The epidemic of Dutch elm disease is considered to have originated in imports in 1969.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many incidents of timber attacked by the beetle Ips typographus have been reported to his Department; and what action has been taken designed to ensure that it is controlled.
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§ Mr. StrangSince 1973 three incidents have been reported involving imported timber, and in each case the timber was immediately processed under the supervision of a Forestry Commission inspector so that it was rendered harmless. There have been no reported incidents of growing trees being attacked. The Importation of Wood (Prohibition) (Great Britain) Order 1974 (SI 1974/2) prescribes measures against the introduction of Ips typographus and prohibits the importation of wood of any of the coniferous genera from those countries in which the pest is prevalent unless these measures have been applied. Under the Importation of Forest Trees (Prohibition) (Great Britain) Order 1965 (SI 1965/2121 as
PREMATURE RETIREMENTS Administration Group (Executive Officers and above) Inefficiency Limited efficiency Redundancy Discipline 1972 … … … … … — — — — 1973 … … … … … — — — — 1974 … … … … … — — — —
Other Staff Inefficiency Limited efficiency Redundancy Discipline 1972 … … … … … 3 2 71 4 1973 … … … … … — — 54 3 1974 … … … … … 1 — 29 7