§ Mr. J. B. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give a detailed statement of the use made of the African Agricultural Improvement Fund over the last three years; and what part of the fund has been used for the payment of European agricultural experts.
§ Mr. ProfumoI presume that the hon. Member is referring to the African Farming Improvement Fund in Northern Rhodesia. The information required is as follows:
(a) Central and Southern provinces:—
YEARS ENDING THE 31ST MAY — 1953–4 1954–5 1955–6 £ £ Bonuses to improved farmers £21,983 27,716 35,000 Subsidy on carts, seeds, fertiliser, etc. Not available (but includes £20,000 approx. for carts) 29,102 25,000 Soil and water conservation work Not available 28,391 26,000 Grants to Native Authorities Not available 1,360 5,000 Loan disbursement £3,391 5,882 7,500 Total Not available 92,451 98,500
YEARS ENDING THE 31ST MAY — 1953–4 1954–5 1955–6 £ £ Bonuses to improved farmers £21,983 27,716 35,000 Subsidy on carts, seeds, fertiliser, etc. Not available (but includes £20,000 approx. for carts) 29,102 25,000 Soil and water conservation work Not available 28,391 26,000 Grants to Native Authorities Not available 1,360 5,000 Loan disbursement £3,391 5,882 7,500 Total Not available 92,451 98,500 (b) Eastern provinces:—
YEARS ENDING THE 30TH JUNE — 1953–4 1954–5 1955–6 £ £ Manure bonus £1,065 2,400 3,600 Subsidy on carting, seeds, implements, etc. Approx. £7,000 10,700 8,800 Soil and water conservation work. 500 500 Livestock improvement £370 300 300 Total Approx. £8,435 13,900 13,200 The services of European agricultural experts are provided by the territory's Department of Agriculture and are not paid for from the fund.