§ Mr. Michael Spicerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will arrange forthwith that imports of all plum root stocks, plums, peaches, damsons and any related trees be held 113W in quarantine at the docks until his Plant Health Inspectorate has proved them to be free of the virus that causes Sharka or Plum Pox, pending the issuing of agreed procedures for the eradication of the disease in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. StrangNo, for it is a feature of the disease that symptons may not appear for two years and quarantine as suggested by the hon. Member would therefore be impracticable. The question of plum pox in this country is, however, under urgent consideration and I hope to make a statement shortly.