Mr. FORESTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the British Cotton Growing Association and the Empire Cotton Growing Corporation have received grants from Government funds, he will state the terms under which such grants were made; and whether in each case they are being strictly adhered to?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe British Cotton Growing Association received a grant of £10,000 a year during the financial years 1910–11 to 1915–16 and a reduced grant of £1,000 in 1916–17. These payments were made in respect of pioneer work in tropical Africa, and the fact that this work was being fully carried out was verified constantly during the period of the grants. As regard the Empire Cotton 43W Growing Corporation I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Edge Hill (Mr. Hayes) on the 26th of February.
§ Mr. HAYESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any Government moneys have been voted to the British Cotton Growing Association; and, if so, for what purpose?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERA sum of £10,000 a year was voted from public funds to the British Cotton Growing Association, for six years from 1910–11 to 1915–16, for pioneer work in tropical Africa. A final grant of£1,000 was made in 1916-17. This amends the answer given to the hon. Member on Thursday when, owing to an inadvertence, I informed him that no Government moneys had been voted to this association.