§ Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date his agricultural advisers were first asked by the Colonial Development Corporation to report on the possibility of growing poultry food in the Gambia; and what expenditure had already been incurred by that date.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe Corporation did not seek the help of my advisers, but before the Poultry Farm project was launched the Corporation despatched its own mission to the Gambia to reportinter alia on the possibility of growing poultry feed.
§ Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the professional advice of the Colonial Office was sought by the Colonial Development Corporation before an American citizen, Mr. M. J. Phillips, was appointed to run the Gambia poultry scheme; and on what terms he left.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe appointment of staff is a matter for the Corporation. My Department was not consulted on the appointment of Mr. Phillips.
§ Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what inquiries were made by the Colonial Development Corporation of his Department of Animal Health as to the practicability of rearing large-scale commercial poultry in the tropics before the Gambian poultry scheme was launched; and what reports he has received on the results of poultry schemes of this size which have proved successful under tropical conditions.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe Corporation made its own investigations and did not request the assistance of my Adviser on Animal Health. I have received no reports on schemes of a similar size which may have been launched in tropical conditions.