HC Deb 19 March 1952 vol 497 cc2304-5
25. Mr. Cyril W. Black

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what amounts of beer, spirits or other intoxicating beverages were imported into each of the West African Colonies, Nigeria, the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and Gambia, for 1950 and 1951, respectively.

Mr. Lyttelton

As the answer contains many figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Black

Can my right hon. Friend indicate whether the figures of these imports that he will circulate show an increase or a decrease on previous years?

Mr. Lyttelton

I have the table here. I think that I must ask my right hon. Friend to study it in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as it is rather long.

Mr. James Hudson

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether these figures are more or less than those that were arranged for at the time that Lord Passfield held the position that the right hon. Gentleman now holds?

Mr. Lyttelton

If the hon. Gentleman will put a Question on the Order Paper, I shall be glad to conduct the necessary research.

Following are the figures:

IMPORTATION OF BEER, SPIRITS, ETC., INTO WEST AFRICA, 1950 AND 1951
— 1950 1951
'000 galls. £ '000 galls. £
Nigeria:
Beer, Ale, Stout and Porter … … 2,580 904,921 4,289 1,767,764
Cider and Perry … … (a) (a) 4 2,403
Spirits … … (b) 113 171,042 (b) 174 285,580
Wine … … 27 41,681 53 82,490
Gold Coast:
Beer, Ale, Stout and Porter … … 2,996 1,057,003 4,000 1,589,2591 (c)
Cider and Perry … … 8 4,434 6 3,478
Spirits … … (b) 163 226,081 (b) 216 334,870
Wine … … 169 100,939 162 136,315
Sierra Leone:
Beer, Ale, Stout and Porter … … 325 131,449 322 129,905
Cider and Perry … … 1 606 (a) (a)
Spirits … … (b) 26 39,402 (b) 24 35,843
Wine … … 143 70,127 122 61,330
Gambia … … (a) (a) (a) (a)
(a) Full details not yet available in London.
(b) Liquid gallons.
(c) Gold Coast 1951 figures are estimates based on 10 months' imports.