HC Deb 27 March 1947 vol 435 cc222-3W
Sir J. Mellor

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT, in respect of each convenient period since July, 1945, showing the quantity of British East African sisal purchased by His Majesty's Government and the average price per ton; the quantity resold in Great Britain and to each oversea country, respectively, and at what prices; why prices comparable with world market prices were not obtained from foreign purchasers; and what potential profit in hard currencies was thereby lost.

Sir S. Cripps

1. The quantities of British East African sisal, including tow, purchased by His Majesty's Government since July, 1945, were as follow:

Production less local consumption:

  • 1st July, 1945, to 31st December, 1945 74,527 tons.
  • 1st January, 1946, to 31st December, 1946 — 130,406 tons.

The average price was:

  • 1st July, 1945, to 30th April, 1946—£27 12S. per ton f.o.r.
  • 1st May, 1946, to 31st December, 1946—£46 Is. per ton. f.o.r.

2. The quantities resold were:

LONG TONS.
Country 1.7.45 to 31.12.45. 1.1.46 to 31.12.46.
U.K. … 23,821 65,464
France … 4,630 9,339
Belgium … 560 4,291
Norway … 2,365 2,742
Holland … 1,100 6,124
Denmark … 2,300 3,501
Finland … 35 —
Sweden … — 125
Czechoslovakia … — 103
Eire … 204 2,044
Iceland … 270 495
Newfoundland … — 450
Canada … — 24,625
Australia … 2,890 11,400
New Zealand … 47 400
South Africa … 450 2,437
India … 3,551 550
Palestine … — 100
Egypt … — 250
U.S.A. … 23,854 11,095
66,077 145,535

3. The average price in the United Kingdom was:

  • 1st July, 1945, to 3oth June, 1946—£43 per ton delivered buyer's works.
  • 1st July, 1946, to 31st December, 1946—£61 per ton delivered buyer's works.
The prices to other countries were fixed on the same level but adjusted according to the terms of the sale, i.e., whether sold f.o.b. British East African port, ex-store United Kingdom, or ex-ship United Kingdom port.

4. As to why higher prices were not demanded from foreign purchasers, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) on 21st January to a previous Question on this subject. There is no world market price for sisal.