§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further information respecting cocoa production in West Africa; what is the financial balance now in hand; and whether it is the intention to devote any portion or the whole of this to social needs and services in West Africa?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanThe cocoa control scheme, which has been in existence since November, 1939, will be continued during the forthcoming season. The West African Produce Control Board will be responsible for the purchase of cocoa from the British territories of Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast and Nigeria and also from the French Cameroons. The financial results of the 1941–42 season, which ends today, are not yet available. Circumstances have prevented the sale of a large portion of last season's crop and the profits which were made during the season of 1940–41 have been more than absorbed by the unsold purchases made this season. As stated by my predecessor on 10th December, 1941, if the results of the Board's operations on cocoa over the whole period for which it may operate show a profit, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to seek Parliamentary approval for an equivalent grant to be made in some form or other for the benefit of the producer in West Africa.