§ 50. Mr. Chorltonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the present position arising out of the cocoa difficulty; and whether the import of cotton goods into the territories concerned has been resumed?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe marketing of West African cocoa has been resumed in a normal manner. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to the answer which I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 1st February.
§ Mr. SorensenWhen the right hon. Gentleman speaks about marketing having been resumed in a normal manner, does that mean that the Cocoa Board has been established?
Mr. MacDonaldI am still awaiting a report from the Governor, who, I take it, is still awaiting the report of a Special Committee which he established to go into the matter on the spot.
§ Mr. SorensenDo we understand that the right hon. Gentleman has inferred that the report of the commission which has recently been labouring in West Africa will shortly be implemented?
Mr. MacDonaldNo, Sir, I am awaiting a report on the matter from the authorities on the spot, and until I receive that I cannot consider the question of the implementation of this or that proposal.