21. Mrs. Butlerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities are available in Uganda for the drying of milk and for the mixing of dried skim milk with groundnut flour to provide good protein supplement for children, as has recently been initiated in Nigeria under the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Julian Amery)No facilities exist in Uganda for drying milk and mixing it with groundnut flour, but these facilities may be developed commercially when the results of the West African project have been studied.
Mrs. ButlerCan the Minister say whether the Uganda Government have approached U.N.I.C.E.F. to supply processing plant for drying milk? If it could be achieved, this processed milk, mixed with groundnut flour, would be an extremely valuable protein supplement. Since there are large supplies of groundnuts in Uganda, this would seem to be a partial solution of the problem of malnutrition.
§ Mr. AmeryYes, Sir. Seventy tons are being imported from U.N.I.C.E.F. this year and the amount will increase to 600 tons by 1960.
§ Mr. StonehouseIs the Minister aware that there is a crying need for more milk powder to be imported into Uganda, and will he consult his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations with a view to using the milk service of New Zealand for this purpose? Seventy tons are far from sufficient for the needs of Uganda children.
§ Mr. AmeryI will look into the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. As I have said, 70 tons are being imported this year, rising to 600 tons in 1960.