§ 9. Commander SOUTHBYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any further information regarding the plague of locusts now visiting certain parts of Kenya Colony; and whether the steps taken by the Kenya Government to combat this evil are considered satisfactory?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)My latest information was received on the 6th March, and it was to the effect that one-third of the hopper infestation in Kenya had been destroyed, and that, except for small flying swarms in the Trans-Nzoia, Laikipia, Kinangop and Lumbwa districts, the swarms had returned north. The Government of Kenya has undoubtedy acted with energy in this matter, and I am advised that they have taken all steps which in the circumstances could reasonably have been taken 1478 to deal with this invasion. There is, however, need for further investigation in regard to locust control generally, including the question of measures which can profitably be taken both to forestall invasions and to deal with the swarms when they arrive; and I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that, at my right hon. Friend's request, the Committee of Civil Research is about to conduct a special inquiry into the whole subject.