§ 14. Colonel Wheatleyasked the Minister of Food if the foliage of groundnut plants is liable to be attacked by locusts; and what precautions it is proposed to take to deal with this danger to the success of the East African Groundnut Scheme.
§ Mr. StracheyThe foliage of the groundnut plant is eaten by some varieties of locusts. Co-ordinated measures for dealing with outbreaks are in operation over the whole of East Africa. Further, the whole lay-out of cultivation in the new groundnut areas and the equipment available will make it possible to fight locusts in a way which could not be attempted where there are scattered holdings or relatively small farms.
§ Colonel WheatleyHave any experiments been made in spraying the larvae of the locusts before they move up? Have aeroplanes been used for this purpose?
§ Mr. StracheyI believe some experiments have been made in that way.