HC Deb 23 October 1946 vol 427 cc387-8W
115. Mr. Thomas Reid

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is estimated to be the effect on the price of chocolate of raising the price of West African cocoa to the high scale of 27s. 6d. a load; and if there is any official scheme for using part of the profits to growers to get rid of cocoa diseases which now destroy about one-sixth of the crop in the case of large parts of West Africa.

Mr. Creech Jones

As to the first part of the Question, the price of chocolate is a matter for the Ministry of Food rather than for myself, but I would remind my hon. Friend that what will influence the price of chocolate is the price paid by the Ministry of Food to the West African Produce Control Board for West African cocoa, which will be settled in the light of general cocoa market prices and is unlikely to be on an exact parity with the price paid by the Board to the West African producers. The latter, although settled with an eye to general market prices, has been designedly fixed at a figure somewhat below the expected price to be received by the Board.

In reply to the second part of the Question, I am considering with the Governors of the Gold Coast and Nigeria the utilisation of part of any profits made by the Board on this year's transactions on special measures for the control of cocoa diseases and the rehabilitation of affected areas.

121. Dr. Santo Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there has been any increase in the price of cocoa paid to West African farmers; and how this price compares with the five-year average prewar figures.

Mr. Creech Jones

The price in the Gold Coast has been raised this season to 27s. 6d. per load of 60 lb. at buying centres compared with a price of 15s. last year. An equivalent increase has been announced in Nigeria. The average price per load from 1934 to 1939 was 9s. 10d.

122. Dr. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what assurance he will give that any higher prices paid for West African cocoa will result in improved conditions for the labourer on the cocoa farms, with particular reference to migrant labour.

Mr. Creech Jones

I am informed that the increased prices will be reflected in some improvement in the conditions of labourers on cocoa farms, but I am in consultation with the Colonial Governments concerned as to what can be done to ensure the participation by labourers in the benefits of the increase.