HC Deb 27 March 1929 vol 226 cc2438-40W
Mr. ROBINSON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what British Dominions or mandated territories are growing cotton; the acreage in each case and the crop at the last convenient date; the names of companies, and where situated, who have received assistance from the Government either in cash or credit facilities; and if the local or British Government are taking action to increase transport facilities, as recommended by the Balfour Committee, in the Dominions or Colonies, and to what extent?

Mr. AMERY

As regards the first two parts of the question, the following is a list of the Dominions, Colonies, Protectorates and mandated territories which are growing cotton, together with the latest available figures of the crops grown in the season 1927–8:

Country. In bales of 400 lbs.
1. Gold Coast 215*
2. Nigeria 20,930
3. Uganda 138,486
4. Kenya 1,241*
5. Nyasaland 4,300
6. Northern Rhodesia 32†
7. Southern Rhodesia 125*
8. Tanganyika 24,040*
9. Union of South Africa and Swaziland 11,013
10. West Indies 5,909†
11. Queensland 10,266
12. Cyprus 2,110†
13. Malta 541
14. Fiji 200*
15. Ceylon 280*

The figures for Iraq and the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan are as follow:

Iraq 4,000*
Sudan 126,115
* Estimates only.
† Figures for 1926–7.

Statistics of acreages are not available, as in most cases such figures can only be approximations. As regards the third part of the question, so far as I am aware, no companies in the Dominions and Colonies have received assistance from the British or local Governments in the way of cash or credit facilities. As regards the last part of the question, the various Governments are taking all possible steps commensurate with available finance to increase transport facilities. I may instance the linking up of the Namasagali-Jinja Railway with the main Uganda-Kenya Railway. A line is also being built between Kampala and Jinja. In Nigeria the line from Zaria to Sokoto is in course of construction. In Tanganyika territory the railway from Tabora to Lake Victoria has been completed. In South Africa a line from Matubatuba to the Swaziland border was opened for traffic in July, 1927. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, I have recently appointed an Oversea Mechanical Transport Committee to study every aspect of mechanical transport likely to further the economic development of the oversea Empire. It is contemplated that the expenses of this Committee shall be shared equally between the Empire Marketing Board and the various oversea Governments who take part in the work.