§ 3. Sir GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether he has any figures to show that the area at present set aside for sugar-cane crops in India is less by nearly a million acres than it was twelve years ago; is there any peculiar condition of the soil of India which makes it improbable that India can compete successfully in the growth and manufacture of cane sugar with Java, Mauritius, or the West Indies; and, in view of the probable shortage of sugar all over the world as a result of the War, is the Government of India taking any steps to encourage the cultivation of cane sugar during the present winter or to increase the quantity of sugar obtainable from the date palm.
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Charles Roberts)In 1913–14 the area was 8 per cent. greater than twelve years previously. In the production of sugar India would seem to be at a disadvantage as regards climate, and in a less degree as regards soil, and general conditions of cultivation and manufacture. The present state of the 754 sugar industry is well known in India and the Agricultural Department is no doubt doing what it can to assist cultivation.