HC Deb 09 July 1953 vol 517 c110W
90. Major Beamish

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that during a recent plague of caterpillars in the area of the Chailey Rural District Council, the council had to apply to his Department for approval to deal with the invasion; and, in view of the fact that there is no public body charged with the duty of dealing with plagues of euproctis chrysorrhoea, whether he will consult with the Minister of Agriculture so that plagues of this kind can be dealt with without special permission from a Government Department.

Mr. Marples

These occurrences are, fortunately, very rare, and I do not think it is necessary to make formal arrangements to deal with them.