§ Mr. Pageasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth relations if he will make a statement upon the present state of the cattle-raising industry in Bechuanaland, its prospects, both immediate and long-term, its export potential, and any projected development of it; and what part he envisages the Colonial Development Corporation's abattoir at Lobatsi will take in the future development of the industry.
§ Mr. AlportCattle raising is and is likely to remain the major industry of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The cattle population rose from 958,000 in 1946 to 1,238,000 in 1956, and the current development plan is largely176W devoted to the improvement of water supplies and veterinary services. Export markets exist in the Union, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and the Belgian Congo. The numbers of cattle exported were 72,000 in 1955, 70,000 in 1956 and 62,000 in 1957. The fall in 1957 was due to the closure of the Union market owing to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. This market is still closed but limited exports from disease-free areas have continued to northern markets. The Colonial Development Corporation are playing an important part in developing the livestock industry and plans for the future are now under discussion with the Bechuanaland Protectorate Government.