§ COLONEL SADLER (Middlesbrough)To ask Mr. Chancellar of the Exchequer if his attention has been directed to the fall in the price of sugar, to-day's value being 5s. per cwt. below what it was in January last, whilst new crop sugar is quoted at under 10s. per cwt., or less than one penny per pound; and whether, having regard to the relative rate of the duty to the total value of sugar when it was imposed, he will favourably consider a pro rata reduction.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) Yes, Sir, I am aware of the fall in the price of sugar from the abnormal prices of last January, but I cannot admit the possibility of varying the duty pro rata with changes of price. The hon. Member is in error in thinking that the price of sugar is lower than it was when the duty was imposed.