§ 41. Mr. W. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made to ensure sufficient supplies of food in the East African Colonies.
§ Mr. George HallYes, Sir. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement of the measures which have been taken.
§ Following is the statement:
§ I have been in constant touch with the Governors of Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda and the British Resident at Zanzibar about the world food situation and the measures undertaken locally to ensure, within the limits of human capability, the self-dependence of these territories in foodstuffs for local consumption. I have every hope that the measures taken, given favourable climatic conditions, will achieve that object.
§ In each territory, the production of foodstuffs has been made the primary objective; in Tanganyika, for instance, cotton planting has been relegated to second place in favour of food growing. Besides vigorous propaganda campaigns, the measures taken include financial aid to farmers, both European and African, by guaranteeing crop prices, by interest-free crop loans, by crop delivery bonuses and acreage grants for cereal growers. 1993 Additionally, wartime legislation covering compulsory food growing has been maintained in force. In the whole field of East African production, the Governors have been very ably assisted by the East African Production and Supply Council composed of officials and private members.
§ East Africa would be glad to export cereals for the world pool if her harvests are large enough to provide the necessary surplus. The weather at the beginning of the current season was not propitious, and the prospects of her being able to do so are very doubtful at present. Other main food exports from East Africa are tree crops, namely: tea, coffee and copra, which are not capable of immediate expansion. I hope that a party to investigate the large scale production of groundnuts in Tanganyika will leave by the middle of the month.