§ 19. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the steps being taken to drain the Laventille and Caroni Swamps in Trinidad, which constitute the biggest single malaria menace and reservoir of anopheles mosquito breeding in the Colony; and whether the land reclaimed from those swamps will be used for the cultivation of rice.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Emrys-Evans)I have been asked to reply. Plans have been made for the gradual draining of these swamps to be carried out as and when the necessary equipment and labour become available. Land reclaimed from swamps is at present being used for the cultivation of rice.
§ Mr. RileyIs it not a fact that there is a great surplus of labour in Barbados, 160 which would be available, as well as a surplus in Jamaica?
§ Mr. Emrys-EvansThat is quite another question.