HC Deb 16 December 1947 vol 445 cc326-7W
120. Mr. Byers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Gold Coast, which supplies half the worlds raw cocoa, has prohibited the import of chocolate; and whether this prohibition was recommended by his Department.

Mr. Rees-Williams

My right hon. Friend has no specific information of such a prohibition and has not recommended it particularly to the Gold Coast Government, but all Colonial Governments have been requested to restrict imports of all goods which are not strictly essential, including goods of United Kingdom manufacture, in order to conserve sterling balances and make available the maximum quantity of United Kingdom goods for export to dollar areas. If the Gold Coast feel that they can do without chocolate, my right hon. Friend would not wish to interfere with their decision.