§ 11. Mr. B. Godman Irvineasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the mileage of roads suitable for motor traffic 887 in Fiji; and whether there are plans for developing feeder roads to the main routes.
§ Mr. FisherThere are 886 miles of all-weather motor roads. Fiji's Development Plan for 1961–65 provides for the expenditure of almost £1½ million on roads. This includes about £50,000 a year which is being spent on feeder roads.
§ Mr. IrvineWould not my hon. Friend agree that some of the modern roads in Fiji reflect great credit on the Public Works Department? Would he not further agree that a greater extension of the feeder roads would be the best way to stimulate the country's economy?
§ Mr. FisherI think that it is an excellent way of opening up land for development. There are other things to be done in that line, too, and the road-building programme has to be integrated with them, but a Colonial Office official who visited Fiji with me recently was rather impressed with the way in which these roads are opening up the new land. I will certainly try to see that more money is spent on feeder roads in future.