§ Mr. D. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take to enable the growers of Sea Island cotton on the island of Antigua to secure improved prices for their cotton, in view of the great poverty of the growers of this raw material.
§ Mr. LytteltonThe sale of the 1952–53 Antigua crop has already been negotiated. The prices to be paid for Sea Island cotton, after the 1952–53 season will be negotiated between the West Indian Sea Island Cotton Association, representing the producers, and the spinners. The parties are at present discussing future marketing procedure. It would in these circumstances be improper for me to comment on details of these discussions, but it is my hope that the discussions will result in mutually acceptable arrangements. Investigations are also being made into the growing of a strain of cotton of higher quality than that now mainly grown in Antigua.