HC Deb 06 May 1953 vol 515 cc374-5
39. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the reason for the fall in African-produced sisal for export in Tanganyika by over 50 per cent. in 1952; and what guidance is given by the agricultural department to Africans to assist them in the growing of this valuable crop.

Mr. Lyttelton

The fall in production is principally due to a fall in price from a peak of £246 per ton in 1951 to about £90 per ton by the end of 1952. I have no recent information with regard to the second part of the Question, but it is generally considered that sisal is better cultivated on a large scale than as a peasant crop.

Mr. Hynd

As this is one of the more profitable crops would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there is no withholding of licences from Africans who wish to cultivate it?

Mr. Lyttelton

As far as I know, it is true, of course, that most of the African cultivation is planted in hedges surrounding other crops, and owing to the complicated method concerned in decortication the peasant grain crops are generally of inferior quality.

Mr. Stokes

While not joining issue with my hon. Friend the Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd), will the Minister not agree that it is quite absurd that sisal, which cost £16 per ton before the war, should ever have risen to the fantastically high prices which it achieved a few years ago?

Mr. Osborne

Would the Minister not add to that that little sisal was sold at these high figures, and that very little was sold over £150 a ton, as the right hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) should have known.

40. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the labour force on sisal estates in Tanganyika is on short-term labour contracts, and what proportion is family labour that has volunteered to settle on the estates.

Mr. Lyttelton

The information required is not available in the Colonial Office; I am consulting the Governor and will circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hynd

On the general principle of the thing, would the Secretary of State agree that it is not in the best interests of family life to encourage the recruitment of males to go to the plantations on short-term labour contracts.

Mr. Lyttelton

That is a question of a general nature on which I should not be asked to pronounce.