HC Deb 11 April 1932 vol 264 cc552-3
59. Mr. PURBRICK

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he expect to receive the report of the departmental committee investigating the economics of the sugar-beet industry; and whether the report will be made public?

Major ELLIOT

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave him on the 29th February, to which I cannot add anything.

29. Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Agriculture by what amount per cwt. the present subsidy and duty abatement for beet-sugar exceeds the amount originally contemplated for the third and present period of the subsidy scheme?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The rate of subsidy now payable for beet-sugar is that originally contemplated under the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925, for the present subsidy period. The effective duty preference received by home-grown white sugar was increased under the Finance Act, 1928, and now exceeds by 1s. 6⅔d. per cwt. the preference existing when the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925, was passed.

Major McLEAN

Can my right hon. Friend say to what extent the price of raw sugar has fallen during the same period?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The price of raw sugar has, I believe, fallen from 20s. a cwt. to 4s. 3d. a cwt. in the same period.

30. Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any figures to show what is the effective assistance per cwt. given to the production of sugar from beet or cane in the United Kingdom, United States of America, France, British West Indies, Cuba and Java, respectively?

Sir J. GILMOUR

In Great Britain the production of white sugar is given effective assistance of 10s. 9d. per cwt. and in the United States of America and France protection is afforded equivalent to 12s. and 13s. 11d. per cwt. respectively, at par rates of exchange. Production in the British West Indies is assisted by an effective duty preference of 3s. 6d. per cwt. on white sugar consigned to the United Kingdom, while Cuban sugar receives in the United States of America a duty preference equivalent to 2s. 5d. per cwt. of refined sugar. So far as I am aware, the production of sugar in Java is not assisted.