HC Deb 19 July 1949 vol 467 c1155
39. Mr. Hurd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure of dollars was authorised for the purchase in the United States of hatching eggs by the Colonial Development Corporation for its poultry project in the Gambia; and why he did not insist that these eggs should be supplied from the United Kingdom.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Fourteen thousand dollars. No quantity of suitable eggs or strain was available in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Hurd

Could the Financial Secretary specify this special strain of poultry that is available from America, and is it proposed to allow the Corporation to spend still further dollars in buying another batch of these eggs?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I should want notice of the second part of that supplementary question. As to the first part, I personally could not judge, but the experts were of the opinion that these eggs had to be obtained from overseas.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

What type of expert is this who thinks we cannot produce the type of eggs to go to Gambia, especially from the county where are to be found the best poultry in the world? It is fantastic.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I would suggest that the hon. and gallant Gentleman should look at a map, and he will see that Gambia is a tropical country. This country is not.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Nor is America.

Mr. Tolley

Could my right hon. Friend say whether these eggs were fertile?