§ Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reasons a Select Committee of the Government of North Borneo rejected the recommendations of the Robertson Report on Rice Production and Marketing.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsCertain recommendations of the Robertson Committee in so far as they concerned the purchase, storage and milling of padi were rejected by the Select Committee, on the ground that the time was not then opportune for their adoption. The Select Committee was also influenced in its deliberations by the security aspect of the Government's responsibility for the Colony's primary food supplies.
§ Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many rice mills were working in North Borneo before the mills were closed in 1948: and how many have now been permitted to resume work.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThere is no authentic record of the number of rice mills working in North Borneo before closure in 1948, as no licences as required by law had been taken out. It is believed, however, that, apart from various small mills, there were about 14 fair-sized mills in operation. Six mills are now operating freely while two are milling Government padi, and another five will be so engaged within a fortnight.