HC Deb 17 December 1908 vol 198 cc2089-90
MR. CORRIE GRANT (Warwickshire, Rugby)

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recent famine in Uganda (as described in Cd. 4358) was largely due to the destruction of the native food crops by great herds of fierce wild pigs; whether the native hunters failed to keep them down; and whether, therefore, he will accept for this purpose the assistance (if it is offered) of English, Colonial, or American hunters.

(Answered by Colonel Seely.) It seems probable that the famine was rather aggravated than caused by the wild pigs to which my hon. friend refers. The inability of the native hunters to cope with them was partly due to their enfeebled condition resulting from the famine, partly to the length of the grass at that season. The Governor reported 1 on 19th September that he was organising a crusade against these animals, and no doubt he will avail himself of the assistance of any competent persons who may offer their services.