asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take in the event of an epidemic of varroasis to assist importing of bees from abroad for restocking of colonies of bees.

Mr. Wiggin: The Bees Bill, which is now before Parliament, will strengthen the controls on imports of bees in the interests of maintaining bee health in Great Britain. In the event of a subsequent outbreak of varroasis in the United Kingdom, subject to licensing, imports would still be permitted from countries which were free of the disease.