HC Deb 10 June 1953 vol 516 c218
39. Mr. D. Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to state how many areas of land there are in Antigua, West Indies, still lying uncultivated; how much of this land is suitable for growing sugar cane; and what steps he and the local Government are taking to bring this land into cultivation, to increase the supply of sugar cane and increase the earning of the native population.

Mr. Lyttelton

Much of the uncultivated land in Antigua is unsuitable for cane production as the soil is too thin. About 600 acres along the south coast could grow cane, but not enough to justify the heavy capital expenditure on road and rail which would be necessary to get out the cane. A land utilisation survey by the Antigua Government will help to determine what crops can best be grown with profit to the people.