§ 160. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps, with or without assistance from the Colonial Welfare and Development Fund, have yet been taken to implement the report made by experts to the Crown Agents in 1941 on the handling and scientific storing of grain in Kenya; and 228W whether, with a view to the elimination of future risks of total or partial famine or food shortages, any efforts on similar lines are contemplated, regionally or territorially, for other African colonies.
Mr. Creech JonesThe hon. Member is probably referring to the visits to East Africa in 1943 and 1944 by representatives of engineering firms whose advice was asked when the question of erecting silos for grain storage in Kenya was being considered. As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member in reply to his Question on 13th February, the position in East Africa has been improved by the establishment of bag storage depots with a capacity of nearly 100,000 tons. The question of the erection of silos is still being considered by a Committee in East Africa. Proposals on these lines are not under consideration for other African Territories, but an expert is shortly proceeding to West Africa under the auspices of the Colonial Agricultural Research Committee to investigate and advise on storage problems in West Africa.