§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps, since the War, have been taken by his Department to promote the cultivation of raw material within the Empire?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYSteps are being taken to carry out the recommendations of the Committee which is considering the best means for promoting the flax industry, and in particular it is hoped to increase the cultivation of flax in the East Africa Protectorate in connection with the scheme which was brought into effect last year for the settlement of ex-officers on farms in that territory. With regard to the development of cotton cultivation, I would refer to the reply which I addressed to my hon. Friend, the Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Chadwick), on the 23rd of February. As regards other raw materials, it has not been feasible to take any special steps since the War, but every possible assistance is being given in the direction of further development by the scientific departments of the Colonies and Protectorates concerned.