HC Deb 08 February 1938 vol 331 c869W
Sir M. Sueter

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take to support Nyasaland tobacco growers in their efforts, by means of local legislation, to organise a market for their tobacco free from the disadvantages of a tobacco-purchasing ring operating either in Nyasaland or in England?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

My hon. and gallant Friend is not, I think, correct in implying by his question that any difficulties which may in the past have been experienced in disposing of Nyasaland tobacco have been due to the operation of a purchasing ring. However, with my full concurrence a new system of tobacco auctions is to the introduced in Nyasaland for the sale of the present crop, and I am hopeful that it will help those growers who in the past have had difficulty in marketing their tobacco to obtain full prices for it in future.