Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities on the control of Japanese knotweed.
Robin Harper: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to prevent the continued spread of invasive, non-native species of plants, such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed.
Damian Green: ...the countryside, but to date there have been no successful prosecutions for illegal release of listed schedule 9 plants. Yet the relatively few species that are supposedly controlled, including the Japanese knotweed—the Minister, I think, said in Committee that it was a problem for him—and the giant hogweed are still causing havoc. A number of other species are causing problems, many...
Mr Peter Hardy: ...the variety of wildlife in Britain. However, I think that it is timely to remind the Minister not to allow alien importation unless it has been considered very carefully. Some people brought in Japanese knotweed, and that was disastrous. Others brought in mink and allowed them to escape, and they have had a savage effect on nature in many parts of the country. We should consider others...
Mr Hector Monro: .... The term "Dog, Prairie" is misleading, because a "prairie dog" is not a dog but a rodent of the marmot family. Amendment No. 195 clarifies points about the giant hogweed, the giant kelp and the Japanese knotweed.