HC Deb 02 July 1947 vol 439 cc159-60W
82. Mr. Parker

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to develop the export of hardwood from British West Africa.

Mr. Creech Jones

I know well how desirable it is to increase exports of hardwoods from West Africa. Some increase may be possible from Nigeria but the greatest possibilities lie in the Gold Coast. The limiting factors there at the moment are shortage of railway engines and wagons and of harbour facilities. Delivery of new engines and wagons cannot, I fear, be expected until next year while the harbour improvements required are extensive and must inevitably take time to complete. But there is good hope that in two or three years' time exports will be running at considerably more than double the present figure.