§ 24. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the development of cattle raising is being contemplated as part of the development scheme for the Cameroons, these being one of the nearest potential sources of supply of meat to the United Kingdom.
Mr. Creech JonesI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the recently established Cameroons Development Corporation. The ex-enemy estates taken over by that body are not situated in areas suitable for cattle development. The development of stock in pastoral areas will be covered by measures in the Nigerian Government's 10-year development plan. 1014 Before meat of the quality suitable for overseas markets can be made available, however, it will be necessary to control transmissible disease, develop the existing poor pastures, and provide supplementary foodstuffs.
§ Mr. HughesAs a point of explanation, may I say that I was not referring to the Cameroons Development Corporation, I was referring to the uplands of the British Cameroons. Is my right hon. Friend aware that stock raising is extensively carried out with great success in the French Cameroons; that the British Cameroons offer a great potential source of meat supplies for this country; and they are much nearer to us than Australia, New Zealand, or the Argentine, which at present supply us?
Mr. Creech JonesI am fully aware that the Question related to cattle breeding in certain parts of the Cameroons, but, as I pointed out, those lands are not suitable—the lands which were formerly under German control.