HC Deb 20 March 1952 vol 497 cc242-4W
Mr. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made towards implementing the recommendations of the Hiley Committee with regard to the establishment of a Forest Commission in Kenya.

Mr. Lyttelton

The Government of Kenya are still considering these recommendations.

Mr. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the latest available report of the Fiji Department of Forestry reveals that care and maintenance of the forest in the wet zones has been unsatisfactory because of lack of trained staff; and whether this has now been supplied.

Mr. Lyttelton

I agree that the conservation of forests in Fiji has been severely hampered by shortage of trained staff. At the end of 1950, the year covered by the report to which my hon. Friend refers, the trained staff consisted of one acting conservator and two assistant conservators. The establishment of one conservator and four assistant conservators has now been filled.

Mr. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many students are under instruction at the Cyprus Forest School; and in what courses of instruction they are engaged.

Mr. Lyttelton

There are at present 30 students. Sixteen are now taking part I of a comprehensive two-year course in the technical and scientific aspects of forestry to fit them for appointment to responsible posts in the forest services of Cyprus and other territories. The remaining 14 were sufficiently qualified to dispense with part I of the course and are taking part II only.

Mr. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the latest available report of the Fiji Department of Forestry reveals that serious damage is being done to the forest resources of the Colony by fire and grazing in the dry zones; and what success has been achieved by the steps being taken to control this.

Mr. Lyttelton

I am aware of the conditions referred to by my hon. Friend. I have not yet had a report on the success of the measures proposed in the 1950 Report of the Fiji Forestry Department to control fires and grazing in the dry zones, but I am communicating with the Acting Governor and will write to my hon. Friend when I have had a reply.

Mr. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the latest available report of the Forest Department of Northern Rhodesia states that the area of gazetted forest reserves is pitfully small; and what steps are being taken to increase the same.

Mr. Lyttelton

It is a primary aim of forest policy in Northern Rhodesia to increase the area of gazetted forest reserves as soon as possible and the Governor is giving all possible support to the Forest Department in carrying out this policy. The progress made in 1950 is given in Section II of the report to which the hon. Member's Question refers. I am asking the Governor for a report on achievement in 1951 and will write to the hon. Member when I have the Governor's reply.