HC Deb 18 November 1942 vol 385 cc339-40
38. Mr. Riley

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement regarding the present food shortage in the West Indian Colonies; and whether any definite steps have been taken by any of the West Indian Colonial Governments to organise the increased production of rice and other necessary foods of which there is an acute shortage?

Mr. Harold Macmillan

Yes, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend in this connection to the full reply which I gave on this and related subjects on the 29th July to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. D. Adams). Active steps have since been taken to carry out the measures described in that statement, and I am glad to say that as a result there has in the last month or two been a substantial improvement in the stocks of food available in these Colonies. Considerable progress has also been made in the development of the local production of food.

Mr. Riley

Have the steps which have been taken been on the initiative of the Government, or is the matter left to private enterprise?

Mr. Macmillan

They have been taken on the initiative of the Government.