§ 84. Mr. C. Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied with the food position in the Seychelles; and what steps have been taken by the local government to ensure adequate food supplies.
Mr. Creech JonesYes, Sir. The Colony's food-import programme is being adequately met in spite of the shortage of shipping. Stocks of cereals are sufficient with the exception of rice, of which there is temporary scarcity. Pulses and lentils are still hard to obtain. Recently the Colonial Government was able to obtain a good store of frozen meat from Kenya and to arrange for further consignments when shipping permits. In the Colony itself, the Government gives every encouragement to vegetable production, seed being distributed free of cost.