HC Deb 16 February 1949 vol 461 cc1132-3
25. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the disclosures of widespread theft by ginners and their African cotton buyers in Uganda, with a resultant annual loss to the growers estimated at £600,000, it is intended that the Government shall assume the responsibility of buying the crop and thereafter selling the quotas to the ginners; and whether the fund derived from the export cess is sufficient to enable this change of system to be instituted.

Mr. Creech Jones

I hope to receive shortly the proposals of the Uganda Government arising out of this and other suggestions made by the Uganda Cotton Industry Commission.

Mr. Skinnard

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the recommendations of the Commission are really only a repeat of those of the Commission held many years ago when a similar state of affairs was shown to exist?

Mr. Creech Jones

I was not aware that this was a repeat of a previous Commission, but the losses stated are much higher than is the actual case, I think. The local Government are taking the necessary measures to cope with this difficult situation.

Mr. W. Fletcher

If the British Government intervene without curing the ill locally, will they not merely transfer the loss to the taxpayers here without curing the evil?

26. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the prefatory statement by the Government of Uganda to the Report of the Cotton Industry Commission in which it is alleged as a deplorable fact that dishonest practices and fraudulent transactions are prevalent throughout Uganda; whether he has been furnished with evidence to substantiate the allegation; and if he will institute an inquiry.

Mr. Creech Jones

I am informed that the allegations of dishonest practices and fraudulent transactions are supported by an analysis of the cases in the Uganda courts. I am satisfied that the Uganda Government, and particularly the police and judiciary, are doing everything possible to check and discourage dishonest practices, and I do not consider that a special inquiry will be necessary.