§ 83. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Minister of Food what is the earliest date at which it is estimated that a crop will be forthcoming under the ground nut scheme for Tanganyika; to what extent 254W the scheme is dependent on the provision of agricultural machinery on a large scale; and whether, in view of the need for increasing world supplies of fats, he will give an assurance that the highest priority will be given to providing machinery.
§ Mr. StracheySince the object of the scheme to which the hon. Member refers is to increase the production of vegetable oils it has been decided that responsibility for it shall rest with my Department, working closely with the Colonial Office. The earliest date at which a crop could be harvested would be April and May, 1948, and I hope that the first supplies may be forthcoming by then. The scheme is, however, entirely dependent upon the availability of machinery for clearing the bush, agricultural machinery and other special mechanical equipment. Every effort will be made to obtain this equipment but it is not possible in the present circumstances to give the provision of this equipment priority over that required for certain other vital programmes which have already been approved by His Majesty's Government.