HC Deb 22 September 1948 vol 456 cc860-1
5. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether arrangements have been completed for experts suggested by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation to inquire into methods of dealing with the swollen shoot disease of cocoa.

Mr. Creech Jones

A selection of three experts has been made from a panel provided by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and I am now waiting to hear whether they are willing and able to undertake the inquiry.

Mr. Keeling

Will the Secretary of State say whether the compulsory cutting down of diseased cocoa trees, which has been suspended for many months, will continue to be suspended until these experts have reported?

Mr. Creech Jones

I cannot give that absolute assurance. The compulsory cutting has, for the time being, been stopped, but we are still using all powers of persuasion we possibly can to induce the farmers to cut down these diseased trees.