18. Mr. Slaterasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the urgent need for stone towards the laying down of good-class roads which are needed in British Guiana at this time, what progress has been made in the last 12 months in the developing of the stone quarries there.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydExperiments are in progress on the use of other materials besides stone for the Colony's roads, and 1401 it is uncertain therefore what demand there will be for stones for this purpose in the future. However, 7 new quarry licences were issued in 1957 and 11 quarries continued in operation on Crown land.
Mr. SlaterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that British Guiana has some of the worst type of roads in existence, that many of the roads are built up with burnt clay and that, if these quarries can be developed to enable the stone to be brought into the area for the building of the highways, British Guiana will have a better chance to overcome most of its economic problems?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydYes; but that is very expensive; and, if cheaper ways can be found, road development will be faster.