§ Mr. Peelasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the grant-in-aid which the British Solomon Islands 18W Protectorate still requires from the United Kingdom to balance its budget, what surveys have been instituted to ascertain the economic potential of the Protectorate in various fields; and what action it is proposed to take upon their findings and recommendations.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Geological Survey Department of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate has for some years been carrying out a programme of surveying in detail the known mineral deposits, seeking other mineral deposits and advising mining interests of prospects in the Protectorate. The Agricultural and Forestry Departments investigate the economic potential in those fields in the course of their normal duties. A project for the institution of soil surveys to determine which areas are suitable for agricultural development has recently been approved and a report on a survey of the labour problems has been submitted and is being considered. The Development Programme for 1957 to 1960, costing approximately £913,000, contains a number of other projects of economic value.