§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether they have taken the initiative to increase the production on suitable land under their control, of such medicinal plants other than lavender and peppermint, as are of major importance and have usually been imported; and whether the Commission is not concerned with the scientific production of vegetable drugs as a war-time precaution?
§ Sir G. CourthopeThe powers and duties conferred or imposed on, or transferred to the Forestry Commissioners by the Forestry Acts do not include the production of vegetable drugs. Consequently they have not taken the initiative to increase the production of medicinal plants on land under their control.
§ Mr. Liddallasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in order to utilise suitable Forestry Commission ground in Lincolnshire and the home counties, he will confer with hospital authorities with a view to making it the permanent policy of the Commission to grow medicinal vegetables and plants now mainly obtained from overseas owing to the inadequacy of United Kingdom supplies?
§ Sir G. CourthopeThe powers and duties conferred or imposed on, or transferred to the Forestry Commissioners by the Forestry Acts do not include the growing of medicinal vegetables or plants and consequently they are not in a position usefully to confer with hospital authorities on the matter.
§ Mr. Liddallasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he will invite and assist the Restoration Board, or local authorities, to convert back into use suitable parts of the iron deposit refuse ditches and dumps in Lincoln, Leicester and Northampton, by covering the surface with fertile soil and cultivating thereon medicinal herbs and plants?
§ Sir G. CourthopeThe answer to the question is in the negative.