asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the warble fly infestation is continuing to cause damage to hides which have been affected by this pest; and what steps he will take to deal with the situation.

The Warble Fly (Dressing of Cattle) Order, 1948, requires farmers to dress all infested cattle between the middle of March and the end of June. We recognise that the Order has had little effect in controlling warble fly infestation despite the considerable publicity we have given it in recent years. Future policy towards warble fly infestation is at present under consideration in the light of the development of new types of treatment.

Will the Minister say why this investigation, which has been proposed to him on a number of occasions, has not already taken place? Is he aware that of between 9 million and 10 million cattle in this country, something like 60 per cent. are warble-fly infested, with the result that we cannot sell our hides in this country at anything like the price which is obtained by Scandinavia and other countries which are clear of warble-fly infestation? Will the Minister do something about this problem, because fly infestation at this level is something which cannot be tolerated here?

We are, of course, fully aware of the importance of the problem, and I assure the hon. Member that investigation has been going on over quite a period of time. The hon. Member will, however, realise the practical difficulties which face us in the matter and how difficult the situation is from the viewpoint not only of administration but also of policing.

When the Minister says that the Department is fully aware of the problem and that it is under consideration, exactly what does he mean? Can we have a more explicit answer?

As the hon. Member knows full well, it is a question not only of whether farmers are using these methods efficiently but of whether the new methods of controlling the warble fly could be policed. As the hon. Member knows full well, the new methods which are available would make checking extremely difficult.

Mr. G. Wilson:

Can my hon. Friend say to what extent the regulations are being effectively carried out?

That is a difficult question to answer. As my hon. Friend knows, the practice is prescribed by order and farmers have the duty to apply the dressing externally. The difficulty is that new methods which are more economic and are better can be applied internally, orally, among cattle.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall take an early opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.