§ 4. Mr. T. Reidasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the inefficient cultivation of cocoa in much of the West African plantations, and the huge excess of demand over the supply of cocoa with resulting abnormally high prices, about five times those of 1941, he will initiate state managed plantations in the interests of consumers everywhere.
Mr. Creech JonesExcept in the Cameroons, where small cocoa plantations are administered by the Cameroons Development Corporation, all suitable cocoa land in West Africa is already 203W occupied by peasant farmers. It would not be feasible or practicable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.