HC Deb 09 February 1949 vol 461 c352
14. Brigadier Thorp

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent there is a black market in meat in Kenya.

Mr. Creech Jones

I have no evidence that a black market in meat exists; though, owing to the practical difficulty of enforcing control within native areas there is some disparity between the prices paid to Africans for meat in the Nyanza and Kikuyu Districts on the one hand, and prices enforced by price control in the towns on the other hand. So far as I am aware, this does not apply in other districts.

Brigadier Thorp

Is it not obvious from the reply that there is a black market? The right hon. Gentleman has said that prices cannot be enforced; will he also state what is the price per pound to the European and to the African?

Mr. Creech Jones

That is another question. The information I have from the territory is that the control is effective.