HC Deb 09 July 1946 vol 425 cc61-2W
123. Sir D. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether all possible steps have been taken to restart the canning of pineapples in Malaya; whether canning has already restarted and, if so, on what scale.

Mr. George Hall

Yes, Sir. Unfortunately, the acreage under pineapples W a s greatly reduced during the Japanese occupation and only 2,000 acres are now in bearing. For this, adequate canning facilities exist. New plantings will take eighteen months to mature. The Government of the Malay Union are supervising the rehabilitation of the industry, and I have offered the help of an expert in canning from this country. It is hoped that some 15,000 cases may be available for shipment this year.