Groundnuts (Hansard, 16 December 1953)

§ 23. Mr. J. Johnson
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total tonnage of the groundnuts crop of Nigeria; how much of this has been transported to Lagos; how much is being stored; and what is the total amount now in pyramids at Kano.

§ 36 Mr. Tilney
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the average weekly tonnage of groundnuts now being transported by the Nigerian railways to port;
2. what tonnage of groundnuts in Nigeria was carried over from the 1952–53 season; and at what cost in carry over charges and depreciation to the purchaser; and

3. what tonnage of groundnuts in Nigeria is to be purchased by the Nigerian Marketing Board during the 1953–54 season; and at what price.

§ Mr. Lyttelton
An average of over 7,000 tons a week has been carried to port during the last five weeks. Contrary to hopes entertained earlier this year, about 196,000 tons of the 1952–53 crop awaited transport at 31st October, 1953. The additional cost to the Nigeria Ground nut Marketing Board arising from long storage of this tonnage is put at nearly £150,000. It is estimated that 480,000 tons will be purchased at £36 a ton for export from the 1953–54 crop. Exact figures of the total crop are not available because of the unknown quantity consumed locally. By the 3rd December 236,000 tons of the 1953–54 crop had been purchased for export. Of this 7,432 tons have been railed to Lagos, Port Harcourt or Baro and some 70,000 tons are stored at Kano. The bulk of the new season's purchases, however, has yet to be carried to the railheads. The total in pyramids at Kano is about 150,000 tons; and some 240,000 tons are in store elsewhere.

§ Mr. Johnson
These figures are somewhat involved. May I ask the Minister if, on his figure of 7,000 tons a week 371 being shifted, he can give an assurance that we shall not have a carry-over, such as we had last year, of something like 160,000 tons or more, because, as he well knows, the building of pyramids at Kano is no good to anyone? Does he think that we shall move it all after this year?

§ Mr. Lyttelton
I cannot give that assurance. There will certainly be a carry-over, but the position is improving. The crop has risen and, whereas 142,000 tons was purchased for export, in 1950–51, no less than 480,000 tons is estimated for 1953–54. This has imposed a great strain on the railway. I think the full results of the measures I have taken in this matter will be completed in 1955 when I expect the whole crop can be moved, but in 1954 I expect to carry over.

§ Mr. Sorensen
Has anything been done in regard to laying down another track so that there may be two-way traffic between Kano and Lagos? This explanation has been given for years and years, but we still see the pyramids being built there.

§ Mr. Lyttelton
I regret very much that efforts were wasted in trying to grow groundnuts where they would not grow and not on transporting them from where they could grow. Measures with regard to the production of rolling stock and extra rails takes a very long time. I have done my best to accelerate the matter and I think that the full result of these plans will mature in 1955.