§ 14. Commander SOUTHBYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Kenya Colony has recently suffered from a serious plague of locusts whether anyone was available on the spot to advise the Government of Kenya on the most experienced methods of fighting locusts: and what steps have been taken or are being taken to exterminate the locusts and to prevent a repetition of a similar visitation?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREYes, Sir. I understand that all possible measures were taken by the authorities in Kenya to deal with this plague. Special expenditure amounting to £6,500 was sanctioned for an anti-locust campaign which was vigorously prosecuted by the Department of Agriculture, which includes a staff of entomologists. Also, with the generous co-operation of the Government of Portuguese East Africa, it was arranged that Dr. Fuller, who is now entomological adviser to that Government and who previously had many years' experience of locust work in the service of His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa, should visit Kenya. I understand that Dr. Fuller has visited the principal areas affected, and submitted a full report to the Government. In his speech to the Legislative Council on the 14th August last, Sir Edward Grigg stated that the Government of 1360 Kenya agreed with Dr. Fuller that some permanent organisation is desirable for studying the origin and movements of swarms, and that the suggestions which Dr. Fuller had made in this respect would be considered in connection with next year's estimates.