§ 39 and 40. Mr. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is satisfied that production 1239 costs for British Guiana rice will enable it to keep within the range of world prices; and the policy of the British Guiana Government with regard to production costs;
(2) whether he is aware of the need for better quality rice production in British Guiana to which attention has been drawn by the manager of the British Guiana Rice Marketing Board; and what measures are being taken to ensure this.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI cannot foretell the future range of world prices, but I have every reason to hope that British Guiana costs of production of rice can be kept in line with those elsewhere. The British Guiana Government is however fully aware of the need for careful attention to efficiency and quality of production. Efforts are being concentrated on promoting increased use of fertilisers and better yielding varieties, on investigations into the problems of mechanisation and on the improvement of milling facilities.