§ 19. Squadron-Leader Donnerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the overall production cost of rubber per pound in Tanganyika from 1943 to date.
§ Mr. George HallThe overall cost of rubber per lb. in Tanganyika from 1st July, 1942, to 31st March, 1945, was 1s. 8d.
§ 20. Squadron-Leader Donnerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will have inquiries made into complaints by rubber plantation owners in Tanganyika that the rate of compensation paid or proposed to be paid to owners of requistioned rubber estates by the Government or their agents has been un fair and inadequate; that the price for rubber supplied by producer-owners has been too much in favour of the Government-nominated agents and that payments to growers and requistioned estate owners have been unduly delayed and are still much in arrear.
§ Mr. George HallThe Rubber Growers' Association of East Africa have submitted a petition regarding their complaints on matters arising out of the requisitioning of Tanganyika rubber plantations in 1942. I am in consultation with the Governor of Tanganyika, and hope to be able to return an early reply to the petition. Meanwhile, the Rubber Growers' Association of East Africa has been informed that individual owners of rubber plantations requisitioned 2307 by Government can accept compensation at the rate already offered without prejudice to any claim he may submit under the Compensation Ordinance for a higher amount. As the petition does not refer to the price for rubber supplied by producer-owners, I should be obliged if the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with particular instances of complaints under that head in order that they may be investigated.
§ Mr. DonnerI will certainly do that.