HC Deb 10 July 1903 vol 125 c1161
MR. LOUGH

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can now announce for the guidance of sugar importers whether the usual August contracts for sugars from Austria and Hungary can be entered into this year; and whether, seeing that exporters from those countries can make delivery late in the month, the Government will undertake that no difficulties will be placed in the way of such sugars being landed under any provision of the Sugar Convention Bill.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

There is nothing in the Convention, or in any provision of the Sugar Convention Bill, that can give rise, as far as I know, to any impediment to the importation of sugar from Austria or Hungary in existing circumstances, either now or after the Convention comes into force on 1st September, provided the sugar be accompanied by such certificate as to origin as may be prescribed.

MR. LOUGH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Convention has condemned the system which existed in Austria and Hungary and the matter has not been cleared up in recent Papers.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I hope it will be cleared up by the Answer which I have just given to the House, which I believe to be accurate.