§ 71. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Africans do not grow Virginia flue-cured tobacco in Northern Rhodesia; and whether he will 34W advise the Government of Northern Rhodesia that pilot schemes should be carried out under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture.
§ Mr. HopkinsonApart from one application by the European Manager of a Co-operative Marketing Union in 1950, no application has, to my knowledge, been received either for or on behalf of Africans to grow Virginia flue-cured tobacco. I cannot say why this should be, though the capital outlay, technical skill and organisation required may have something to do with it. I doubt whether pilot schemes would serve any useful purpose as there is no lack of knowledge either of the requirements of the crop or of local conditions.
§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what quantity of Virginia flue-cured tobacco is grown by Africans in Nyasaland; and under what conditions it is marketed.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo Virginia flue-cured tobacco is grown by Africans in Nyasaland.