§ Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to increase the output of rubber in Ceylon; and what has been the result?
§ Colonel StanleyShortly after the loss of the Far Eastern rubber supplies, the price of rubber in Ceylon was increased by over 25 per cent. in order to stimulate production. Producers in the island were also urged through the Ceylon Government to take every possible step to increase output, and a scheme of compensation for intensive tapping involving the repayment under certain conditions of replanting costs up to£45 per acre has been introduced and published in the Ceylon Press. There has already been considerable response to the appeal for more intensive tapping, and it is expected that the compensation scheme will result in a further increase in output. Ceylon production in 1942 was higher than in preceding years, and while it is too early to assess the present year's result, I am hopeful that despite the considerable difficulties both in regard to labour and foodstuffs which the island is experiencing, the level of the 1942 production will be at least maintained and probably exceeded in 1943.