§ 19. Mr. Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the yield of tropical fruits and vegetables in the Cayman Islands is considerably below what it might be; and whether he will take steps to encourage and assist the growing of more produce for local consumption.
§ Mr. HopkinsonGood progress has been made with assistance from Colonial Development and Welfare funds in increasing agricultural production, particularly the planting of food producing trees.
§ Mr. BraineIn thanking my right hon. Friend for that encouraging reply, may I ask him if his Department can make quite certain that the excellent, but often unrecognised, work of agricultural officers in the West Indies, which is doing so 458 much to raise the productivity of food in that region, will be given every possible encouragement?
§ Mr. HopkinsonWe are certainly doing our best to encourage agricultural production there, and naturally the agricultural officers concerned will get our full support in every way.