§ 86. Mr. LOUGHasked whether a Report of the proceedings of the Sugar Commission, showing the total purchases, prices paid and charged, up to the latest available date, can be laid before Parliament?
§ Mr. McKENNAI can for the moment add nothing to the reply that I gave on the 29th February, to the hon. and learned Member for York.
§ Mr. McKENNAI have written the hon. Member for Yorks asking him to put down a question on the Paper asking for a return, and no doubt the hon. Gentleman will put down a question.
§ Mr. BUTCHERI will put down a question.
§ 87. Mr. LOUGHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can say what profit the Sugar Commission is at present realising on its sales of sugar; and whether, seeing that the Commission now finds itself unable to supply the public demand and having regard to the apprehensions of increasing shortage of supply, he can see his way to open the ports under such restrictions as may apply to other articles and so restore freedom of trade in this necessary of life?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to both parts of this question is in the negative. Any apprehension of increasing shortage is, if it exists, ill-founded. There is no reason at present to anticipate that supplies in general in 1916 will fall below those available in 1915 by more than 25 per cent., the reduction being consequent upon the shortage of tonnage.
§ Mr. LOUGHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that great quantities of fruit, oranges and other things are rotting in the country for want of sugar, and will he do something to supply the demand for what is, at any rate, a valuable food?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, certainly. If any evidence is brought before me of oranges and other fruit rotting in the country, I will do my best to meet that case.