§ Mr. Chorltonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the troubles in the West African market arising out of the cocoa pool buying, whereby the textile trade was seriously affected, have now been overcome and the normal conditions of cotton goods purchasing restored?
Mr. M. MacDonaldSo far as I am aware, the present cocoa crop is being marketed without difficulty and normal conditions prevail in regard to the import trade, though inevitably the present low price of cocoa affects the volume of imports.
§ Mr. Hamilton Kerrasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action it is proposed to take in consequence of the recent report on the cocoa marketing problem in the West African Colonies; and whether, having regard to the fact that the exports of cotton manufactures to British West Africa for the first nine months of this year are less than one-third of those for the same period of 1937, he will do everything possible to ensure an early and amicable settlement?
Mr. M. MacDonaldSome of the Commission's recommendations are of a far-reaching nature and will require careful examination. I have asked the Governors of the Gold Coast and Nigeria to send me their observations on the report as soon as they are in a position to formulate their views. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.