HC Deb 02 August 1944 vol 402 cc1396-7W
Mr. de Rothschild

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what help and encouragement were given by the administration to the scheme for the manufacture of cocoa-butter which was started in the Gold Coast last November; what facilities were given to the manfacturers taking part in this scheme to obtain machinery comparable in efficiency with that used by commercial firms elsewhere who manufacture this product; and whether there is any prospect of the scheme being continued.

Colonel Stanley

The Gold Coast Government arranged in 1942 for the manufacture of cocoa butter by simple methods from cocoa beans which were either off-quality or which for other reasons could not be exported. This local manufacture, which was not economical, was discontinued so soon as freight became available to lift all Gold Coast cocoa. No elaborate plant was required for local manufacture by these methods, and none was imported for this purpose.