HC Deb 14 July 1948 vol 453 cc1195-7
42. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent cocoa farmers in the Gold Coast and Nigeria have resisted the need of eliminating pest-affected trees and other methods of combating this danger; what attempts are being made fully to acquaint the farmers with this need; and to what extent the surplus acquired by the Board will be used to meet the necessity of financial compensation.

Mr. Creech Jones

In the Gold Coast there has been considerable and sometimes violent opposition to the cutting out of cocoa trees attacked by Swollen Shoot—the only known method of preventing the spread of the disease. As a result, compulsory cutting out has had to be suspended. Wide publicity has been given by the Gold Coast Government to the nature and necessity for drastic measures to deal with the disease; Africans have been urged to co-operate in attacking it and the Cocoa Marketing Board has agreed to provide up to £3 million for rehabilitation grants. This has led to some voluntary cutting out, which continues. Further consideration is being given to this problem in the light of the recommendations of the Gold Coast Commission, which investigated the causes of the recent disturbances.

In Nigeria the disease has not been so widespread and opposition to cutting out has been small. Rehabilitation grants are being made from Cocoa Marketing Board funds at the rate of 1s. 6d. for each diseased tree cut out. Energetic steps are being taken to bring home to farmers the need for these measures.

Mr. Sorensen

Can the Secretary of State give any idea what would be the reduction in the production of cocoa because of the resistance on the part of the farmers to this method of trying to cure the disease?

Mr. Creech Jones

Over a long period the whole crop is endangered and therefore it is imperative that the Africans should co-operate with the Government in cutting out the trees which are discovered to be affected.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question of whether he has any estimate of the amount of reduction?

Mr. Creech Jones

As I have said, the whole crop is endangered over a comparatively short period of years.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

The right hon. Gentleman mentioned a very large sum, I think £3 million, paid for rehabilitation. Will he say what steps are being taken to prevent this disease, not merely by the destruction of the trees, in view of the fact that some of the rehabilitation grants may also go down the drain?

Mr. Creech Jones

As the House knows, there is the research organisation at Tafo, which has been doing enormous research into the disease, but so far no remedy has been found and the only way of treating the disease is by cutting out the trees affected.

Dr. Segal

Does my right hon. Friend fully realise that the question of compensation is crucial and that the disease will not be eradicated unless the compensation is adequate?