§ 27. Mr. HANNONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the scheme approved during the past year for the development of sugar research in Mauritius is yet in full operation; if the officers with the necessary assistants provided for in the scheme have yet been appointed; and if he will give the names of these officers?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe new research station is not yet in full operation, owing to a difficulty in obtaining a suitable candidate with the required qualifications in plant physiology for one of the senior appointments, that of research botanist. Mr. A. G. G. Hill, late botanist, Department of Agriculture, Nigeria, has been appointed to the post of plant breeding officer, and Mr. N. Craig, late lecturer in agricultural chemistry at the Agricultural College, Mauritius, to the combined post of bio-chemist and soil physicist. Inquiry is being made of the Colonial Government as to whether appointments of assistants which it was anticipated would be filled by local candidates have yet been made.
§ Mr. HANNONDoes the establishment of this research station indicate that the Government are pursuing the policy of their predecessors in relation to preference for Colonial sugar?
§ Dr. SHIELSI would point out in that connection that the Empire Marketing Board have just made a grant of £1,000 a year for five years to assist in this work.