asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with the object of ensuring colonial development, he will consider setting on foot further research in the direction of ascertaining whether some of the tropical products we now import from other countries can profitably be produced in our Empire?

The production within the Colonial Empire of commodities at present imported from foreign countries is a question that is engaging continuous attention both here and in the Colonies themselves, and much help is constantly given by men with special knowledge of particular trades. This has resulted both in improvements in production and marketing of established products and the development of new ones. Any specific suggestions for further action in that direction are always welcome, but I see no necessity, as at present advised, for the introduction of further special machinery for the the purpose.