§ 71. Mr. Baldwinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the serious increase of disease in the cocoa plantations of the Gold Coast, what steps he is taking to encourage the production of cocoa in other parts of the Empire.
§ Mr. CookI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 19th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid) regarding the extent of the disease in West Africa. There are cocoa rehabilitation schemes in Trinidad and Grenada, and the possibility of production in British Honduras is being actively pursued. Production is also being encouraged in Jamaica. Following the special survey by Dr. Cheesman, it is considered that the Malayan region offers a promising field for production; and with Colonial Development and Welfare Funds, planting material from West Africa has already been flown to the area for subsequent distribution in Malaya. Sarawak and North Borneo.