§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the rapidly increasing desiccation of East Africa, he will state what steps he proposes to take to stop further alienation of Crown forest and all destruction of forest on land outside forest reserves?
Mr. M. MacDonaldAreas which have been declared to be forest reserves have 2405W not been, and will not be, deforested save when very special reasons exist. As regards forests which are not at present scheduled as reserves, it is not the view of my expert advisers that all trees whatsoever need be preserved, but proposals for declaring further areas to be forest reserves are being pursued. Steps have been taken which should result in the early gazetting of large new areas in Uganda and in Tanganyika. In Kenya a Bill will shortly be presented to the Legislative Council which will, amongst other things, confer upon the Government increased powers for the protection of forest vegetation.