HC Deb 13 March 1952 vol 497 cc1538-9
2. Mr. Hale

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement on the progress of the cattle ranching scheme in Northern Bechuanaland; and whether he is satisfied that adequate provision has been made in case of drought.

Mr. J. Foster

The Colonial Development Corporation will publish details of the progress of this scheme in their annual report for 1951. Provision against drought is a matter of ranch management; the project is still in its very early stages, but I understand that the Corporation are satisfied that reasonable precautions will be taken.

Mr. Hale

But in my Question I asked the Under-Secretary whether he is satisfied that sufficient provision has been made against the possibility of drought? Experts are saying openly that no provision has been made. Will the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us what is his own view on this matter?

Mr. Foster

The Corporation must be liable for the precautions, and I understand from the Corporation that reasonable precautions will be taken.

Mr. Hale

What precautions have been taken?

Mr. Foster

The detailed precautions are a matter for the Corporation.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman realise that his noble Friend is, of course, responsible for the broad direction of this project, and will he bear in mind that the tendency of people engaged in this sort of thing is to start off on too big a scale[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—it will be just the same now as it was in the past—and also the necessity of seeing that their experiments are kept small enough and no bigger than is necessary to establish the facts?

Mr. Foster

I will naturally bring that point to the attention of my noble Friend.