§ MR. GRIFFITH BOSCAWENTo ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India are planting rubber trees in Burmah, and also in other places, on an extensive scale; and, if so, whether, with a view of preventing injury to private enterprise, and having regard to the protests made by companies and individuals interested in rubber plantations, the Government will consider their decision.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The Indian Forest Department is engaged in experiments with rubber trees of different kinds in Burma, Assam, and Bengal. The most important experiment is with the Para rubber tree in the Mergui district of Lower Burma. It will be on a sufficient scale to test the commercial value of this species of rubber in Burma. I am not aware that any protests have been made by individals or companies interested in rubber plantations in India, 530 and I am not prepared to order the discontinuance of the experiments which, if successful, will be of great benefit to India, and to the large forest estates of the Indian Government.