HC Deb 07 October 1941 vol 374 cc862-3W
Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies what the price for the new crop of cocoa in West Africa will be; what will be the price in the French Cameroons; how in each case the price was determined; and whether he is satisfied that the price to the grower is reasonable, in view of the profit made on cocoa in this country, the wide disparity between producers and consumers prices, and the use of cocoa profits in this country to subsidise other foodstuffs?

Mr. George Hall

I append a statement of the prices to be paid in the several territories concerned. These prices were decided upon in consultation between the West African Cocoa Control Board and the Colonial Governments concerned, having regard to the anticipated outcome of the Board's operations in the year 1940–41, past levels of prices, and the needs of West African cocoa producers: my Noble Friend is satisfied that they are reasonable in all the existing circumstances.

Following is the statement:

COCOA PRICES, SEASON 1941–42.

All prices are naked ex scale and apply to the main crop only. Prices for the mid crop, where applicable, will be fixed later.

Nigeria—
(a) Lagos-Benin per ton
Grade 1 … £15 os.
Grade 2 … £14 10s.
(b) Calabar
Grade 1 … £14 os.
Grade 2 … £13 10s.
(c) Victoria
Grade 1 … £14 os.
Grade 2 … £13 os.
Grade 3 … £7 os.
Gold Coast—
Grades 1 and 2 … 8s. 6d. per load of 60 lbs. (including 6d. war surcharge).
French Cameroons—
(naked ex scale Duala) … 2525 francs per 1,000 kilos.

Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he will furnish a statement showing the profit and loss on the purchases of cocoa by the West Africa Cocoa Control Board for the two cocoa crop seasons 1939–40 and 1940–41?

Mr. George Hall

The West African Cocoa Control Board did not commence operations until the season 1940–41, and any inquiry as to the financial outcome of the purchase by His Majesty's Government in 1939–40 should be addressed to the Ministry of Food, who were responsible for the purchase in that year. As regards 1940–41, it will not be possible to prepare a definite financial statement for some time, as the year only closed on the 30th September, but a full statement will be presented to the House in due course.