HC Deb 20 November 1919 vol 121 cc1187-8W
Mr. A. HENDERSON

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agri- culture whether wart diseases of potatoes are prevalent in Germany; whether on large tracts of land in Germany the planting of potatoes of varieties susceptible to wart diseases is prohibited; whether the export of potatoes from these areas is prohibited; and whether scientific research with a view to finding a remedy for wart diseases is being carried on by German State authorities?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

In Germany wart disease of potatoes is apparently confined to small areas in some of the industrial districts. The Board have no information as to the administrative action taken by the German authorities for the purpose of controlling this disease, nor can they say definitely whether research in this subject is being carried on by German State authorities. Experiments are, however, being conducted for the purpose of testing varieties of potatoes for immunity from wart disease.