§ 38. Mr. Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the acreage under cotton in the AbyanScheme during the years 1952, 1953, and 1954; and what was the value of cotton produced.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe acreage under cotton in the Abyan Scheme was as follows:
- 1952 –11,300 acres
- 1953–22,000 acres
- 1954 estimated at 46,000 acres.
§ The value of the cotton produced was:
- 1952— £880,000
- 1953— £1,410,840
- 1954 estimated at £2,400,000.
§ Mr. BraineIs my right hon. Friend aware that to produce such results in five years in what was once arid wasteland is a very fine achievement indeed and a great credit to those responsible? I wonder if my right hon. Friend could say what contribution this is making to the economy of the territory?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydA thoroughly worth-while contribution, and the thanks of all of us are due to those who carried it out.
§ Mr. UsborneIf we can grow all that cotton in that short time, does the Secretary of State think that he might grow a little bit more tea fairly quickly?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI feel that I must answer the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. I am afraid that the qualities of land required for one crop are not, unfortunately, always suitable for the growing of another crop.