§ Lord KENNETasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware of the danger that oak wilt may be imported into Britain from the United States or elsewhere and may have an effect on oak trees like that of Dutch elm disease on elm trees; and what powers exist to prevent it.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of INDUSTRY (Lord Beswick)Her Majesty's Government are aware of the dangers of the introduction of oak wilt into Great Britain and preventive legislation is already in force.1078WA Under the Importation of Forest Trees (Prohibition) (Great Britain) Order 1965 (SI 1965/2121 as amended by SI 1974/1) importation of plants of quercus (oak) and castanea (chestnut), which may also carry the disease, is prohibited except from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. The Importation of Wood (Prohibition) (Great Britain) Order 1974 (SI 1974/2) provides further measures against the introduction of oak wilt by prohibiting the importation of wood of quercus and castanea from North America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Roumania unless these measures have been applied.
House adjourned at a quarter before seven o'clock.