HC Deb 26 March 1952 vol 498 cc52-3W
Mr. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the circumstances referred to in paragraph 264 of the Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture, St. Vincent (1949), which prevented the preparation of a programme of forestry work; and whether they have now been overcome.

Mr. Lyttelton

In the absence of accurate demarcation of Forest Reserves, and so as to be within the capacity of the limited stiff available, the 1949 St. Vincent forestry programme was planned on broad lines and not in detail. The surveying of St. Vincent has been going on for some time and recently a Colonial Development and Welfare scheme has been made to provide additional staff and facilities. This scheme provides, amongst other things, for the accurate demarcation of Forest Reserves. The completion of this demarcation will take time.