WEST AFRICAN COCOA.

HC Deb 15 November 1939 vol 353 cc694-5

27. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position in respect to the Gold Coast Cocoa Report of last year?

Mr. M. MacDonald

As the hon. Member will have seen in the Press, His Majesty's Government have undertaken, as a war measure, to buy the whole 1939–40 crop of British West African cocoa at fixed prices to the producer for the various grades. Such a development was not foreseen when the Cocoa Report was written, and further consideration of the recommendations in the light of it will be required.

Mr. Creech Jones

Does that mean that the recommendations of the report are now definitely abandoned?

Mr. MacDonald

No, not necessarily so, but the situation is an entirely new one, and will require reconsideration.

Mr. Palinģ

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the price compares with last year's price?

Mr. MacDonald

It is about the average price for the season of last year, and of course, there is the additional advantage that it is a guaranteed price throughout the whole of the present 12 months.