§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent, in addition to direct subsidies, European farmers in Kenya are guaranteed high prices for maize, pyrethrum and other crops; and what are the sums involved?
§ Colonel StanleyUnder the Increased Production of Crops Ordinance, 1942, in addition to guaranteeing a minimum return per acre for certain crops, the Government may fix guaranteed prices for produce, subject to disposal in accordance with the orders of the Government. Guaranteed prices, which are scaled according to quality, were fixed for crops of maize, wheat and rye planted during the year 1942, but I have no information yet as to any additions for 1943. Particulars of the sums involved are not available. I will, however, ask the Governor of Kenya for the information and will communicate it to the hon. Member in due course. In respect of other crops, e.g., pyrethrum, flax, sisal, coffee, cotton, cottonseed, groundnuts and copra, purchase at fixed prices has been guaranteed by His Majesty's Government. The sums involved depend upon the quantities made available for export. These commodities include several produced largely if not exclusively by Africans.