SIR GILBERT PARKERI beg to ask the President to the Board of Trade what were the prices of raw sugar and of refined sugar of different grades 925 respectively, at the date of the passing of the Sugar Convention; and what are the prices of the same sugars at the present time.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. KEARLEY,) DevonportIn March, 1902, when the Sugar Convention was signed, the market price of 88 per cent. raw beet f.o.b. Hamburg was 6s. 6d. per cwt. In September, 1903, when the Convention came into force it had risen to 8s. 6d. (refined beet sugar f.o.b. in March, 1902, was 8s. 1d. per cwt., in September, 1903, 10s. 4d.) To-day's prices of beet and refined respectively are 8s. 4d. and 10s. 4d.