HC Deb 03 June 1942 vol 380 cc652-3
19. Mr. D. Adams

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the necessity for increased food production in Trinidad, steps are being taken for development for this purpose of bankrupt and derelict sugar and other estates upon the island?

Mr. Harold Macmillan

Very active steps are being taken to increase food production in Trinidad, including the compulsory planting of about 3,000 acres of sugar lands, divided between estate and cane farmers' lands, the extensive increase of allotments, house gardens, etc., and the more rapid development of land settlement schemes in hand. All these measures are additional to the food production campaign already in progress.

Mr. Adams

Is the Minister aware that the local Press are complaining that large areas in the estates are completely undeveloped at the present time?

Mr. Macmillan

I am afraid the local Press have a habit of complaining, not only in the Colonies, but in the Mother-country as well.