§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake an urgent investigation of the effects of the recent adverse weather on the viability of the beekeeping industry in Scotland.
§ Mr. John MacKayNo. It is generally accepted that 1985 was a very poor year for most sectors of the agricultural-horticultural industry, including beekeeping. The problems caused by the adverse weather are worrying for those involved but such reversals are not uncommon and, in the case of beekeeping, have to be seen against bumper crop years such as occurred in Scotland in 1984.