§ Mr. ARTHUR FELLasked if the Under-Secretary could give any estimate or particulars of the extent of land in the Crown Colonies which is considered to be suitable for the growth of cotton, so far as the soil and climate were concerned?
§ Colonel SEELYThe latest readily available document containing information as to districts in which it may be possible to grow cotton is Professor Dunstan's Report to the Board of Trade of 1904 (Cd. 2020). It would take a considerable time to make even an approximate estimate of the area of suitable land in Crown Colonies, etc., which may ultimately be made available, but the recent report on British Cotton Cultivation (Cd. 3997) of 1908, shows that cotton of good quality can be grown in a large number of British possessions.
§ Mr. FELLWill it be possible to lay the papers relating to this matter before the House together instead of separately?
§ Colonel SEELYI shall be very glad to lay papers on the subject if there is any general wish that it shall be done. I may say that the Colonial Office have taken the deepest interest in this matter for many years past, and we have conferences monthly about it.