HC Deb 28 February 1951 vol 484 cc2060-1
16. Sir Ralph Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what price is being paid by the French West African authorities for a ton of Nigerian groundnuts; and how this price compares with that paid by the Nigerian Marketing Board for groundnuts of the same quality.

Mr. J. Griffiths

I am informed that the groundnut trade in French West Africa is in commercial hands, but I have no information about the open market prices paid there.

Sir R. Glyn

Is it not a fact that, by order of the marketing board, the growers of this crop are not allowed to export, but that, in spite of this, 10,000 tons have been exported?

Mr. Griffiths

I should like to look at that point before answering.

Mr. W. Fletcher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as long as the price fixed by the marketing board is well below the real price, he will find large movements of material, which are urgently required here, going into hands quite different from those which we desire?

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