§ 11. Mr. RAMSDENasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture is urgently in need of funds so that it may properly carry on its work; and whether, seeing that this college, if properly equipped and provided with the necessary staff and buildings, will be able to help materially in the development of our tropical Empire, it is proposed to give it any financial assistance?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards financial assistance, I am not able to add anything to the answer which was given to my hon. Friend on the 14th December.
§ 19. Lieut.-Colonel A. McDONNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is proposed to increase the Grant-in-Aid from Exchequer funds for the financial year 1926-27 to the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad, in view of the increasing importance to this country of agricultural development in our tropical Crown Colonies?
§ Mr. AMERYI am unable to add anything to the information which the Under- 1930 Secretary gave on the 14th December in reply to a question by the hon. Member for North Bradford (Mr. Ramsden).
§ 20. Lieut.-Colonel McDONNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if there is any educational institution under official auspices in the Empire other than the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad for training personnel to fill positions on the agricultural staffs of the Crown Colonies and Protectorates?
§ Mr. AMERYThe Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad, is regarded as the main training centre in the Empire at which instruction covering the whole field of agriculture and agricultural science under tropical conditions can be obtained. Some instruction on a limited scale is also available at the Colombo University College and at the Botanic Gardens, Ceylon, and at the Agricultural College, Mauritius.
§ 23. Mr. RAMSDENasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any students have already passed through the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture; and, if so, to which Colonies they have proceeded?
§ Mr. AMERYI am informed by the secretary of the college that 39 students have already passed through it, and that 25 are known to have taken up appointments, four each in the Gold Coast, Uganda and Trinidad, two each in the Sudan, Barbados and British Guiana, and one each in Ceylon, Nyasaland, Southern Rhodesia, Natal, Jamaica, Antigua and Guadelope.