§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that shortage of rolling stock on the West African railways is preventing the shipment of groundnuts; and whether, before any further development of this type of product is encouraged, he will ensure that the transport arrangements are made such as to ensure the shipment of each year's harvest before the next crop is gathered in.
Mr. Creech JonesThe movement of the 1946–47 groundnut crop, which was one of the largest on record, has been engaging my attention and that of the Nigerian Government for some time. Owing to the accumulation of war-time arrears of maintenance, to staff difficulties and to the delay in the delivery of new locomotives, it is estimated that there will be approximately 20 to 25 per cent. of that crop still unrailed at the commencement of the new season in November. Fourteen new locomotives have, however, recently arrived from Canada and it is hoped that twenty additional Vulcans, originally to be delivered this year but delayed in production owing to the fuel crisis, will be in operation in Nigeria early in 1948. By March, 1948, therefore, assuming that some of the present staffing difficulties can also be overcome, the railway should be operating at a rate capable of moving to port within a period of 12 months a larger crop of groundnuts than any yet produced. Adequate storage exists to provide for the carry-over of the 1946–47 crop and careful plans are being made to provide cover for the 1947–48 crop, pending its railing to port. It is not, of course, possible at this stage to estimate the size of the next crop but the indications are that the railway will be230W able to move it and, at the same time, to reduce progressively the carry-over of the present crop.
I agree with the hon. Member that the aim should be to arrange the shipment of each crop before the next harvest is gathered. Efforts to improve transport arrangements will be energetically pursued until this goal is reached. Meanwhile I hope that adequate storage can be provided in the Kano area to prevent the loss of any substantial quantities of groundnuts which can be harvested within the next two seasons. The provision of adequate transport will certainly be a very prominent consideration in any plans for increased production and it was for that reason that the Mission which is now completing its examination of long-term plans for increased groundnut production in West Africa includes a transport expert.