asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the figures, quantity and value of vegetable oils and fats produced from Colonial Territories in the past 12 months.

The latest figures available are for the year ending 30th June, 1951.

Exports in this period were: oilseeds and copra 922,000 tons, vegetable oils 298,000 tons, total value £80 million.

I will arrange for more detailed figures to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the groundnuts scheme made any contribution to this total?

A very modest one, compared with that of private enterprise.

Does not the vast amount of material produced in the Colonial Territories, as indicated by the right hon. Gentleman, justify the colonial policy of the late Government?

I do not quite see the application of what the right hon. Gentleman says. The promotion and production of raw materials is obviously a highly desirable objective, in which we are all engaged. The best way to do it may well evoke a certain amount of difference of opinion.

Following are the details of colonial exports of vegetable oils and oilseeds:

Note:—(a) Excludes trade between the British West Indian Colonies.