§ Mr. C. Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the position in regard to Government-sponsored Bacca clubs in the Seychelles; and whether the local government will consider a prohibition of toddy.
Mr. Creech-JonesThe Government of Seychelles, which holds the monopoly of the sale of Bacca in the public interest, operates two canteens in Port Victoria, where plans are in hand for a third, and also maintains centres for the sale of this liquor in two other places in the island of Mahé. This undertaking is run as an economic entity and all profits are entirely devoted to the improvement of the social amenities and the welfare of the Colony. Since the supply of sugar cane is at present insufficient to satisfy a reasonable demand for Bacca, coconut toddy is also sold in the Port Victoria canteens. The sales last October were 13,288 litres of Bacca and 18,641 litres of toddy. I am satisfied that the system whereby Bacca canteens are operated by the Colonial Government is 89W having beneficial results. As regards the second part of the Question, the general position with regard to toddy is kept under under close and constant review by the Colonial Government. The present system of controlled sale was introduced in 1944 because of the abuses which existed under the previous policy of prohibition.