§ Mr. Leonardasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the disease at present attacking the tomato crops in Lanarkshire has been investigated by his Department; and whether the plants affected were grown from seed locally or imported as plants?
§ Mr. ElliotI assume the disease to which the hon. Member refers is Single Virus Streak which has been known in Great Britain for several years but has been exceptionally severe in Lanarkshire this season. The disease is being investigated by the horticultural staff of the West of Scotland Agricultural College in consultation with the plant pathologist of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland and the Director of the Experimental and Research Station at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. It is understood that most of the plants affected in Lanarkshire were grown from seed obtained locally.