§ Mr. ANEURIN WILLIAMSasked the Food Controller whether certain low grades of cocoa beans, known as D cocoa, not wanted by British manufacturers, are readily saleable for re-export to other countries, but that, owing to the prohibition of the re-export of more than 50 per cent. of the imports from West Africa, large quantities of this cocoa are of necessity being stored in Liverpool, occupying storage room which is wanted for other kinds of produce; whether exporters from West Africa seize opportunities to ship direct, from that country to foreign countries to avoid this detention and interference with their business, with the result that British steamers, British and Marine insurance companies, and British produce dealers, are losing this business; and whether there is any reason why this D cocoa should not be permitted to be re-exported without restriction to all countries other than enemy countries?
Mr. ROBERTSWhen the Raw Cocoa (Prices) Order, 1918, and the Raw Cocoa Distribution Scheme were in operation, the prohibition on the re-export of more than 50 per cent. of raw cocoa imported into the country was not applied to what was known as "D" cocoa. If "D" cocoa was found unsuitable for home manufacture, certificates were issued by my Department authorising its re-export. On the withdrawal of the Raw Cocoa Distribution Scheme there was a small accu- 979W mulation of this class of raw cocoa, to which the attention of my Department was not drawn, and consequently no certificates were issued in respect of this quantity at that time. Arrangements have now, however, been made for the issue of the necessary certificates. I have no reason to believe that the prohibition on the re-export of more than 50 per cent. of raw cocoa imported into this country is in any way interfering with the importation of West African or any other variety of raw cocoa. I may add that the quantities of raw cocoa normally exported from this country before the War were very considerably below 50 per cent. of the importations