§ 44. Mr. Rileyasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the production of rice in British Guiana fell to 9,000 tons after having reached in one year a maximum of 30,000 tons; and whether, in view of the loss of an annual import of 30,000 tons of rice from Burma, the steps now 1028 being taken to extend rice cultivation in British Guiana and the West Indies are intended to make the West Indies independent of imported supplies of rice?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanIt is true that for a variety of reasons, including droughts, there was a decline in the production of rice in British Guiana, but it is understood that British Guiana will be able to supply the needs of the British West Indian islands other than Jamaica this year. The measures now being taken in British Guiana and the West Indies are intended to meet future West Indian requirements with the least possible recourse to external supplies.