HC Deb 30 April 1952 vol 499 cc83-4W
47. Sir E. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the progress in dealing with swollen shoot in Nigeria.

Mr. Lyttelton

The policy of preventing the spread of swollen shoot disease from the endemic area by rigorous control measures on its perimeter has been completely successful. New centres of infection have been small and few and have been dealt with satisfactorily without opposition from farmers.

The evidence of new plantings by farmers has been particularly encouraging. Rehabilitation of the endemic area is succeeding. The people are being encouraged to plant oil palms citrus and new cocoa trees and the plants for this purpose are being grown in special nurseries.

48. Sir E. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the progress in dealing with swollen shoot in the Gold Coast.

Mr. Lyttelton

The Government of the Gold Coast, having conducted an effective campaign of public education in this matter, have decided that general cutting out of diseased trees and replanting shall begin forthwith.

In addition, measure for control of the disease will be started again in the devastated and mass-infected zones in the Colony. These were not originally included in the Government's New Deal.

I have sent a message to the Government telling them of my great appreciation of their firm handling of this difficult problem. I will send my hon. Friend copies of two statements made in the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly by the Minister of Agriculture.