HC Deb 15 April 1953 vol 514 c10W
50. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the cost per ton to the Nigeria Groundnut Marketing Board of the long storage of groundnuts through failure of the railways to move the groundnut crop in reasonable quantities.

Mr. Lyttelton

I cannot give an estimate of the cost of delays in moving the crop, because too many variable factors are involved. That delay still arises is mainly due to the greatly increased crops since 1951, but, as I told the hon. Member in reply to his Question on 18th February, measures to improve the efficiency of the railway have been taken and the rate of railing since this season began last November has been substantially higher than last season.