§ 24. Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the amount of the accumulated profits transferred to the Nigerian Marketing Board for groundnuts, benniseed, palm oil and palm kernels, relating to the period between the end of hostilities and 1st February, 1947.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThe West African Produce Control Board did not sell at a profit during this period. The question of transferring accumulated profits does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. TurtonIs the Minister aware that last week the Parliamentary Secretary disclosed the fact that very considerable profits were made during this period by the Ministry of Food on this produce, and will he take up the matter with the Ministry of Food to see that the Nigerian producers get their fair share of profits?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension on this point, and had he read last week's Debate, as I suggested, he would be clear about it. He does not appreciate the difference between trading surpluses of the Board and the resultant profits of the Ministry of Food after the produce has come into their hands.
§ Mr. TurtonIs the Minister aware that during the Debate on 24th February, he 1012 carefully avoided any reference to profits made during the period in question, and will he now give an explanation?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsIt is quite clear from the Debate recorded in the OFFICIAL REPORT why there were no trading surpluses up to 1st February, 1947, and why there have been surpluses since that date. There was then a change of policy.
§ Mr. Oliver StanleyIs it not a fact that the farmer in Nigeria receives for his groundnuts only about half of what the Minister of Food proposes to pay the Overseas Food Corporation in East Africa?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThat is another question.