Dr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any reports are available at the Colonial Office of the newly described disease, swollen shoot, affecting cocoa trees, especially in the Gold Coast of Africa; whether his agricultural experts have yet considered this problem; what action is being taken for sending information on this affection to all cocoa-producing colonies by way of warning or advice; and whether such reports can be seen by interested Members?
§ Colonel StanleySwollen shoot disease has engaged the special attention of the Agricultural Department of the Gold Coast for some time, and as a result of reports received from the Colony a grant of £17,000 has been made from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund for further investigation of swollen shoot and other diseases of cocoa. This investigation is being carried out by a team of experts including a botanist, entomologist and mycologist. The subject has been continuously reviewed by my Advisory Council on Agriculture, Animal Health and Forestry, and the decision to proceed with this special investigation was based on their advice. Such information as is available respecting the disease has been published in scientific journals and the conclusions of my Advisory Council are circulated to all Colonial administrations. Officers of the Agricultural Departments of Nigeria and Sierra Leone have visited the Gold Coast in connection with the work on this disease. I will readily arrange for copies of the reports so far circulated to my Advisory Council to be made available to interested Members.