§ 43. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution unanimously passed by the chamber of commerce in the Port of Spain, Trinidad, and sent to him respecting the need of a conference of producers to consider the plight of the Colony's cocoa industry; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
Mr. M. MacDonaldMy Noble Friend has not yet received the resolution to which the hon. Member refers, but I understand that the proposal is that an international conference of cocoa producers or the Governments of cocoa-producing countries should be summoned. An attempt was made to summon such a conference in 1933, but was unsuccessful. It is not known whether a further attempt would now be more successful, but clearly a great deal of preparatory work would be required.
§ Mr. SorensenDo I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is prepared to recommend action along those lines with a view to securing a more equitable production and distribution of cocoa?
Mr. MacDonaldI think that in the first place we had better wait for the actual petition, which I understand contains this proposal, so that we can see what is in it.
§ Mr. SorensenBut I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is aware of it.