§ Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of British Guiana is taking any action to encourage and assist the local cocoanut industry; and what steps are being taken to aid the large-scale development of subsidiary industries such as edible oil, soap, margarine and lard, for which the present war situation offers a favourable opportunity?
§ Colonel StanleyThere are some 22,450 acres under cocoanuts in British Guiana, and the scope for extension is limited. There is in existence an up-to-date oil mill which produces a high grade of edible oil from locally produced cocoanuts, which is of considerable value for food supplies at the present time. But for future development it is considered that, while alternative crops to sugar and rice suitable to British Guiana conditions are very limited, the greatest scope for development appears to be in regard to animal husbandry. The Comptroller for Development and Welfare and his Agricultural Adviser, together with the local Department of Agriculture, have been giving dose attention to all aspects of agriculture in British Guiana, and extensive proposals for its betterment have been prepared and the grant of funds for implementing many of them approved.