§ 60. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to mechanise the production of rice in Malaya; what grants have been made for this purpose from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund; and how many full-time men are employed in the Department of Agriculture dealing with mechanised cultivation of this commodity.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe Agricultural Department in the Federation of Malaya has a well-established Agricultural Engineering section which undertakes investigations into all aspects of rice mechanisation. The Rural and Industrial Development Authority maintains a school for tractor drivers, at which some 500 drivers have so far been trained. Last year a Colonial Development and Welfare grant of £31,900 was made for further experiments in the mechanisation of rice production. I have asked the High Commissioner for information about the last part of the Question and will write to the hon. Member when I have a reply.