§ Mr. Parkerasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether action has been taken in St. Helena, under the Lands Acquisition Ordinance of 1939, to break up the three large estates which owned 70 per cent. of the land and to increase food production on co-operative lines; and how far the island is now self-supporting in foodstuffs?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanSteps have already been taken by the St. Helena Government to acquire possession of land when necessary to increase fool production; in any case which might require the exercise of compulsion the. St. Helena Government would not hesitate to use the powers vested in it for this purpose. Very 795W strenuous efforts are being made to increase the production of food supplies, particularly vegetables, and much progress has been made. Much is owed to the cooperation of all landowners large and small alike. It is improbable, however, that St. Helena can ever become self-supporting in food production, since certain categories of foodstuffs, for instance, cereals, will always require to be imported in substantial quantities.