asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the right to import into West Africa is still restricted to the Association of West African Merchants and other firms on the basis of their past performance for 1937–41; and when he expects to be able to end this system.

No, Sir. The issue of import licences is no longer restricted, as a general rule, to firms that can prove past trade, though the restriction is still in force in at any rate one West African colony for a limited range of scarce commodities. All colonial governments are aware of the desirability of ending this restriction as soon as circumstances permit.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that equal trade facilities will be granted to non-British trading firms?

I think that is the case with regard to African firms.

And to other firms?

That is another point.