§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is proposing to prohibit throughout West Africa the export of raw material to any but British manufacturers; and, if so, by what statutory authority such powers will be exercised?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYAt the suggestion of the Food Controller, and in order to ensure adequate supplies of the raw material for producing margarine, the Governments of the West African Colonies have been invited to control the exportation of palm kernels, copra, and ground nuts for the next few months. Exporters are to be required to ship to destinations within the British Empire, and will be given licences allowing them to ship to any destination, to which such shipment is otherwise lawful, certain proportions of these three commodities based upon the amount shipped to the United Kingdom. These proportions are: Palm kernels, one-ninth; ground-nuts, one-fifth; and copra an equal amount.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the proposed imposition of a protective duty on palm kernels shipped from West Africa to other than British ports has been withdrawn; and, if so, whether any means of safeguarding the interests of British manufacturers has been substituted?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second therefore does not arise.