§ 3. Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia flue-cured tobacco leaf was sold well below prices of tobacco of comparable quality obtained in previous years, while average prices in Southern Rhodesia were higher; and what action he will take to remove present obstacles to satisfactory marketing.
§ Mr. LytteltonThe main reasons were these. Bad weather in both territories increased the higher proportion of low-grade leaf, and the removal last year of the quota restrictions which had previously been placed on the quantities of Southern Rhodesian leaf which could be purchased at the Salisbury auctions reduced the incentive to buyers to attend the more isolated markets in Nyasaland and north-eastern Rhodesia. The entire Northern Rhodesian production in 1953 will be sold at the Salisbury auctions. The remedy for Nyasaland lies in concentrating on production of higher grade leaf, and this is being encouraged by the Government of the territory.