§ 79. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what price per 1b. was paid to the growers of Sea Island cotton on the island of Antigua in the last accountancy period.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe price paid for seed cotton was 27.45 West Indian cents per 1b.
§ 80. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether this country now has a firm agreement with Antigua to take all that island's crop of Sea Island cotton; and what quantity was taken in the last accountancy period.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe crop is sold through commercial channels by the West Indian Sea Island Cotton Association. I understand that a recent visit to the United 1225 Kingdom by a delegation of the Association resulted in satisfactory arrangements being made for the sale of the entire 1956–57 crop from all the producing islands. The whole of the 1955–56 crop from Antigua, about 1,134,000 lb. was purchased by United Kingdom interests.
§ Mr. JonesIn view of the importance of disposing of these crops to these islanders, will the hon. Gentleman take care to see that in good time efforts are made to dispose of next year's crop in the same expeditious manner?
§ Mr. ProfumoI understand that both growers and buyers are satisfied with the arrangements which have been made.