23. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken in Nyasaland to extend the acreage of tea growing and tea production; whether any restrictions are imposed on native or European production by the provisions of any tea restriction scheme; whether governmental policy favours such restriction; and whether he will consider experiments in communal native production under Government supervision?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe Government of Nyasaland, together with the Governments of the other East African tea-producing dependencies, undertook in 1934, with the approval of His Majesty's Government and the full concurrence of local growers, to co-operate in the International Tea Regulation Scheme by limiting new plantings of tea during the currency of the scheme to an agreed acreage. The scheme has been very successful in maintaining prices at an even and economic level, and thus ensuring regular employment. As regards the last part of the hon. Member's question, tea planting does not lend itself to communal native production, and in any case, for climatic and physiographical reasons, the possible area of successful tea growing in Nyasaland is strictly limited.
Mr. Creech JonesWill the right hon. Gentleman give sympathetic consideration to the suggestion that some Government experiment might be made with native production, particularly in view of the fact that the restriction comes up for reconsideration in the early part of next year and that quite useful work might be done in Nyasaland?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI very much doubt whether it is desirable or feasible, and I do not think it would solve or help to solve the problem of employment in Nyasaland.