64. Mr. CAMPBELLasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the amount of differential duty to date granted to the sugar refineries since 1928; and how this figure compares with the cost of maintaining the sugar-beet industry during the same period?
§ Major ELLIOTThe approximate amount of the difference between the amount of duty actually charged on sugar delivered for refining in refineries from 25th April, 1928, to 31st December, 1932, and the amount which would have been paid on the same quantities had duty been charged at the basic rate appropriate to imported sugar exceeding 98° polarisation, was £18,835,000. The amount of assistance given to the beet-sugar industry during the period 1st April, 1928, to 31st December, 1932, was approxi- 802 mately £22,379,000, comprising £17,061,000 direct subsidy paid under the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925—including the sum of £183,300 advanced under the British Sugar (Assistance) Act, 1931—and £5,318,000 representing the difference between the amount of duty collected on home-grown sugar calculated at the appropriate Excise rate and the amount which would have been paid had duty been charged at the basic rate for imported unrefined sugar.