§ 33. Mr. T. Reidasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what acreage of jute has been planted in the Colonies, in view of the decrease in British stocks of jute, the inadequacy of the port of Chittagong for shipping purposes and the 1997 refusal of the Government of India to allow free through shipment of Pakistan jute via Calcutta.
Mr. Creech JonesThere is no commercial growing of jute in the Colonies at present. Trial plots are being laid out in several Colonies, but there are formidable difficulties to be overcome as jute cultivation requires an exceptional combination of soil, climatic conditions and labour supply.