HC Deb 03 November 1937 vol 328 cc919-20
61. Mr. McEntee

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have considered the report of Sir Frank Stockdale on soil erosion in East Africa; and what steps he proposes to take to give effect to the proposals on anti-erosion measures and reconditioning of the reserves in Kenya and on the development of improved methods of agriculture and of animal husbandry?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Yes, Sir. The attention of the Governments of all the East African Dependencies has been drawn to Sir Frank Stockdale's report. As regards the second part of the question, the Government of Kenya is establishing a special Soil Conservation Service to deal with the problem. It will be the duty of the officers so employed to prepare the necessary surveys and schemes for the whole colony. As a beginning, a comprehensive scheme has been prepared for reconditioning 100,000 acres in the Machakos Native Reserve as an experimental and demonstration measure, and the Government of Kenya has submitted an application for financial assistance from the Colonial Development Fund to enable this work to he carried out. The Government has also applied for a loan on behalf of the local native council for that area, to enable other reconditioning measures to be taken in the rest of Machakos Reserve.

Mr. McEntee

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether a decision has been reached, as to whether the grant and loans are to be given to the Government, and whether the same conditions are to be applied in Tanganyika and in Kenya?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Kenya has led the way in making experiments which have been most successful. We have learned a very great deal from the experiments. Tanganyika requires different treatment because of the different conditions.

Mr. McEntee

Have the Government actually agreed to make a loan and grant?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

That is a question which must come before the Colonial Development Fund, a committee which was set up by the Government to consider this matter.