§ 69. Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there are approximately 80,000 tons of the Nigerian groundnut 1946–47 crop awaiting rail transport to the coast ports for shipment; and that the Ministry of Food have now purchased 90,000 tons of the 1947–48 new crop; and in view of the shortage of rolling stock on the Nigerian Railways, especially locomotives, what special steps are being taken to supply these deficiencies and what are the dates by which the 1946–47 and the 1947–48 groundnut crops, respectively, will be shipped to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI am only too well aware of the accumulation of groundnuts in Northern Nigeria. I am doing all I can to provide new railway equipment. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Charles Smith) on 3rd December. The balance of the 1946–47 crop should be shipped by March, 1948, if it is in fact found convenient to ship all old crop before new crop. Until the size of the 1947–48 crop is known, I cannot estimate how long it will take to ship, but I will continue to do everything possible to see that it is shipped quickly.