§ 14. Captain CUNNINGHAM - REIDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made during 1933 in efforts to combat Panama disease of bananas in Jamaica; and whether the number of diseased plants during 1933 represented a percentage increase over the previous year?
§ 20. Sir PERCY HURDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make a statement as to the extent of the banana disease in Jamaica, and the progress of measures to combat it?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am informed that Panama disease of bananas gained ground in Jamaica in 1933 as a result of the year's exceptional rainfall. For the month of January, 1934, there was an increase of 50 per cent. in recorded and treated cases over the number for January, 1933. So far as funds will allow, investigations on the breeding and trial of resistant and immune types of bananas are being extended; a special series of soil observations has been commenced; and trial shipments of Cavendish bananas—a variety believed to be immune—have been made from the Colony.
§ Sir P. HURDMay I ask whether the progress of the banana disease is beginning to make any change in our sugar policy in the way of extending the cultivation of sugar?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am afraid that I do not understand the precise connection.
§ Sir P. HURDI want to know whether the advance in the banana disease, has led the right hon. Gentleman to make any change in the way of increased cultivation of sugar in the colony?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERMy hon. Friend is aware that there is a large basic preference given to all sugar within the Empire, and there is a special extra preference, which I am bound to say I think the Chancellor of the Exchequer has adjusted on a generous scale, for sugar production in the Colonies.