HC Deb 11 February 1897 vol 46 c155
SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the West Indian Sugar Commission contains among its members or commands the services of any person competent, by knowledge of modern improvements in manufacture, to advise upon the extent to which the machinery and the processes of manufacture prevailing in the British West Indian Islands are out of date?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,), Bristol, W.

in the absence of Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: The Commission has no such actual specialist in machinery attached to it, but the question is one upon which the Commissioners will have no difficulty in obtaining expert evidence.