Mrs. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the number of African growers of sisal and the quantity and value of their output to the latest convenient date; what limitations are placed upon African growers; what price differentiation is observed as between African and European growers; how far African growers are obliged to sell to the Kenya Sisal Board; what representation Africans have on that board; and what assistance they receive from that board.
§ Mr. Lyttelton, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 17th December, 1952; Vol. 509, c. 216], supplied the following information:
No accurate figure for the number of African sisal growers is available, but there are certainly very many thousands. Neither can their total output and its value be stated since much is put to local use the value of which it is impossible to assess. The value of exports of sisal fibre grown by Africans is estimated at £344,000 in 1951. There are no limitations placed by law on African growers, and no price differentiations for comparable products.The Kenya Sisal Board buys no sisal fibre: Africans and Europeans alike must export through a licensed agency. Africans have no direct representation on the Board, but there are three Government members including the Director of Agriculture. Africans benefit equally with others from the successes of the Board in promoting the industry, including agronomic research.