§ Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the draining of the Caroni Swamp in Trinidad has yet been completed; and whether any decision has been reached as to the use of the land.
§ Colonel StanleyThe Caroni Swamp consists of three parts, one of which, not yet reclaimed, will eventually be included in the Laventille air port. A second part has been banked and drained for rice cultivation; the area reclaimed is 550 acres. The land in the third part, of approximately 8,000 acres, is at present too low to be reclaimed by gravity drainage. Reclamation by silting, a slow but inexpensive process, is now being undertaken. This work has proved partially successful, but has been delayed by lack of necessary machinery, procurement of which is now being negotiated. No decision has yet been reached regarding the use to which this third area when reclaimed will be put, but partial irrigation is possible.