§ 42. Mr. George Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the cocoa co-operative societies in West Africa are managed by Government officials; and to what extent there is Government control of these co-operative societies.
Mr. Creech JonesThe cocoa co-operative societies in West Africa are registered as co-operative societies under the Cooperative Societies Ordinances in Nigeria and the Gold Coast. The affairs of each society are administered by a Committee elected by the members at general meetings. Powers of control and supervision are conferred by the respective ordinances on the registrars.
§ 43. Mr. G. Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what prices were paid for West African cocoa by the West African Cocoa Board in 1943, 1944 and 1945, respectively, as compared with the average of the five prewar years before Government marketing was introduced; and what is the price being paid at the moment.
Mr. Creech JonesAs the answer includes a number of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, arrange for it to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
| Following is the statement: | ||||
| Per 60 lb. load. | ||||
| Season. | Naked ex-scale railway. | f.o.b. per ton. | ||
| Pre-war prices | s. | d. | £ | |
| 1933/34 | 6 | 6 | 19.66 | 5 years average£ 26.01 |
| 1934/35 | 7 | 7 | 21.84 | |
| 1935/36 | 8 | 8 | 23.91 | |
| 1936/37 | 19 | 6 | 44.20 | |
| 1937/38 | 6 | 6 | 19.80 | |
| 1938/39 | 6 | 10 | 20.33 | |
| 1939/40 | 8 | 6 | 20.08 | |
| 1940/41 | 6 | 6 | 18.42 | |
| 1941/42 | 7 | 6 | 18.67 | |
| 1942/43 | 7 | 6 | 21.50 | |
| 1943/44 | 7 | 6 | 21.50 | |
| 1944/45 | 12 | 6 | 31.50 | |
| 1945/46 | 15 | 0 | 36.50 |
§ The average price per ton f.o.b. 1934 to 1939 was thus just over£26, including the season 1936/37 when freak prices more than double normal years were paid. Excluding this year the average price was£21 9s. 5d.