§ 46. Mr. LOUGHasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a new arrangement was entered into under the Brussels Sugar Convention in May, 1913, restricting the freedom of this country in granting drawbacks on the export of sugar; and whether, considering the profits which Germany and Austria have realised from this country for so many years under this instrument, he can now undertake that all entanglements arising out of the Brussels Convention will be finally ended and the Suger Convention Act repealed?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe object of the arrangement referred to by my hon. Friend was to secure British exporters of sugared goods and of refined sugar against penalisation on importation into Convention countries. In return for this important guarantee the only pledge given by His Majesty's Government was to give six months' notice of any intention to give bounties on the export of sugar or to treat Colonial sugar or cane sugar preferentially. I think my hon. Friend will see that this arrangement is greatly to the advantage of our sugar using trades, and that it is undesirable to disturb it.
§ Mr. LOUGHWas not the undertaking given that the Convention should be finally abolished, and is that consistent?