5. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the decision reached by most of the large chocolate manufacturers throughout this country to discontinue the manufacture of slab chocolate owing to the high price of cocoa beans, and since this price is fixed by the Government, he will take steps to reduce the cost of the raw material used in the manufacture of slab chocolate.
§ Mr. StracheyThe Ministry selling price is reviewed from time to time to bring it in line with the price of raw cocoa, but I am not prepared to make a special reduction to manufacturers of slab chocolate.
Mr. De la BèreSurely the Minister is aware that plain slab chocolate is almost unobtainable throughout the country today? Is it not vitally necessary that plain chocolate should be made available, and that present prices, which do not go to the growers, or at least will not reach 1243 them for a long time, should come down so as to make it worth while to manufacture plain chocolate? Why not take sweets and sugar off the ration at once?
§ Mr. StracheyIt would be very nice if the world price of raw cocoa came down, but that is not a thing which it is within the power of the Government to do by fiat.
§ Mr. DribergWith regard to the raw material and its cost, is my right hon. Friend always looking out for new sources of supply which have not yet been fully developed? Is he aware, for instance, of the research into more intensive methods of cultivation now being conducted in Jamaica? Has my right hon. Friend consulted the Colonial Office about that?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, that is important, but unfortunately it is a long-term remedy, as the cocoa tree takes seven years to attain full production.