§ 106. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the reason for the recent increase of £5 a cwt. in the price of cocoa beans; and who benefits by the additional profit.
Mr. Creech JonesThe price of cocoa has risen because production is below the prewar level while demand is as high or higher. The resultant profit to the West African industry goes in part direct to the farmers in the form of the increased price which they are receiving and in part to the reserves held by the West African Cocoa Boards for the benefit of the industry as a whole.