Groundnuts Production (Hansard, 18 December 1946)

§ 21. Mr. Turton
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether full publicity is being given in the West African Colonies to His Majesty's Government's announcement that they have complete confidence in the United Africa Company for the initiation of the scheme for large-scale production of groundnuts in East Africa.

Mr. Creech Jones
The statement has no doubt been reported in the Press, and I see no need for any other publicity in West Africa.

§ Mr. Turton
Can the Minister say that the confidence he has in the United African Company is based on their experience in East Africa?

Mr. Creech Jones
I think the object of my hon. Friend is achieved by the Question he has put.

§ 22. Mr. Turton
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether opportunity will be given for owners and occupiers of land to be used for large-scale production of groundnuts in East Africa to present their views prior to dispossession.

Mr. Creech Jones
The areas in contemplation for the groundnut scheme are generally uninhabited, and indeed in present conditions uninhabitable owing to dense bush cover, tsetse fly, or absence of surface water. No question of transferring communities from their homes arises, and if it should prove necessary to use any land already in private ownership or occupation, the protection and compensation of owners and occupiers will be governed by the laws of the territories concerned.

§ Mr. Turton
Will African interests be consulted in this proposal?

Mr. Creech Jones
Yes, certainly. As far as tribal lands are concerned, consultations with the native authorities will take place.

§ Mr. Oliver Stanley
Can the right hon. Gentleman inform us when and in what form he intends to give the House full details of these plans?

Mr. Creech Jones
I think that is a question that should be addressed to the Minister of Food.

§ Mr. Stanley
Is the right hon. Gentleman not going to be responsible for these developments in the Colonial areas?

Mr. Creech Jones
I think it has been announced to the House that the Ministry of Food will take responsibility in regard to these development plans, but that there would be the fullest consultations with the Colonial Governments and, of course, with the Colonial Office.

§ Mr. Stanley
On a Point of Order. On that occasion when the Minister of Food made a statement I remember asking certain supplementaries, and he said that they ought to be put to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Mr. Creech Jones
I certainly should be prepared to answer any question which relates to those matters and which comes under the jurisdiction of the Colonial Office.

§ 29. Mr. Dodds-Parker
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it has been decided to use the Port of Lindi for the shipment of Tanganyika groundnuts, to be grown under the scheme recently announced by the Minister of Food; and if he will give an assurance that the natural advantages of Kilwa Kisiwani will receive consideration as a harbour for naval as well as commercial purposes.

Mr. Creech Jones
No final decision has been reached on the use of Lindi as the port of export for groundnuts under the scheme announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food on 25th November. The natural advantages of Kilwa Kisiwani have certainly not been lost sight of, and the possibility of using that port as an alternative is under consideration.

§ Mr. Dodds-Parker
Can the Minister give any indication when a decision will be reached in this very important matter?

Mr. Creech Jones
I regret that for the moment I am not able to do so, but the whole scheme is receiving most active consideration and a decision should be taken very shortly.

§ Mr. Stanley
May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why he is answering these 1942 questions on the groundnuts scheme and not the Minister of Food?

Mr. Creech Jones
The development of Tanganyika is obviously a matter for the Colonial Office and the Secretary of State, and this question relates to the development of a port there.

§ Lieut.-Colonel Thorp
May I ask your advice, Mr. Speaker, as to which Minister these Questions should be addressed to in future in order that we may receive a reasonable answer?

§ Mr. Orr-Ewing
Does it not appear that the groundnuts will be ready before the port, in which case there will be embarrassment, and would it not be as well to know which Minister will be embarrassed?

Mr. Creech Jones
The matter is perfectly simple. There is no confusion between the Minister of Food and the Colonial Office. We work in perfect harmony, we have our respective responsibilities, and each in his sphere is doing his bit to secure the production of groundnuts as early as possible.