§ 49. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Food what is the total area of bush now cleared at Kongwa and in the Southern Province of Tanganyika, respectively.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe only figures available so far from the Overseas Food Corporation are these of bush flattening, because the preparation of the ground for planting will be done later in the year. In 1947, 12,730 acres of bush were flattened in the Centre Province. In 1948 an additional 16,958 acres in the Central Province and 2,524 acres in the Western Province had been flattened by 5th June. Clearing has not yet begun in the Southern Province.
§ Mr. DigbyIn view of those disappointing figures, can the hon. Lady say what steps are being taken to speed up bush clearance?
§ Dr. SummerskillI think my right hon. Friend in his statement to the House made it quite clear that the whole project was a year behind schedule.
§ Mr. Oliver StanleyDo not these figures show they are more than a year behind? Should not they have reached 150,000 acres in the first year?
§ Dr. SummerskillI think my right hon. Friend said 150,000 acres up to the end of 1948.