§ 9. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an undertaking that sugar produced in enemy countries will be prevented from competing in this country on unfair terms with sugar produced within the British Empire on the conclusion of hostilities?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD OF TRADE {Mr. G. Roberts)This is a matter which is clearly bound up with the general question of commercial policy after the War, on which I am not in a position at present to make a statement.
§ 14. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in the opinion of the Board of Agriculture, beet sugar could be suitably grown in large quantities in this country; and whether, having regard to the position in which the country is now placed in being dependent for its sugar on foreign supplies, he will see his way to undertake to give a guarantee to British agriculturists that this new industry will be encouraged by a guarantee of interest for a period of years to manufacturers desirous of establishing sugar factories?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Richard Winfrey)The uncertainty with regard to this problem is whether sugar beet can be commercially manufactured into sugar at a profit in normal times in this country. Until that is settled it is of no use to divert land from the cultivation of essential crops or to allow the establishment of factories for the making of 954 beet sugar. A State guarantee to growers cannot therefore be considered during the War.
§ Brigadier-General CROFTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that if this industry is to be encouraged in this country it must have at least a year's notice, and if we wait for the end of the War obviously that will be to allow the industry to be once more in the hands of the Germans?
§ Sir R. WINFREYAll those considerations are taken into account.
§ 33. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, if he is aware that the employés of Messrs. Kearley and Tonge, Limited, have been able, by purchasing a half-pound of tea from the firm, to purchase six pounds of sugar, and, by purchasing four ounces of cocoa, to purchase three pounds of sugar; and will he have inquiry made into the matter with a view of securing a more equable distribution of sugar?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)I am informed by this firm that since October last their employés have been allowed to buy not more than three pounds of sugar a week. In one of the firm's factories conditions as to purchase of other articles were for a time imposed without the authority of the directors. Such conditions ceased entirely in December last.
§ Mr. THORNEMay I ask whether that means that the men who work in this particular factory are to get no more proportion than ordinary citizens?
§ Mr. MACMASTERIs it not possible to apply a more reasonable rule with regard to the distribution of sugar than now prevails, and why is it different standards of distribution prevail in different shops?
Captain BATHURSTThe whole question is supremely complicated and difficult. I can assure the hon. Member mat every effort is being made to solve this difficult problem.
§ Mr. FLAVINMay I ask the hon. Gentleman to make representations to seriously consider the question of only supplying sugar with tea, so that most people would be able to get a reasonable supply of sugar with tea when buying it?
Captain BATHURSTI think I have already informed the hon. Member that the matter is being considered, and in every case in which the attention of the Food Controller or myself is drawn to the matter an investigation takes place.
34. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he can now state whether any arrangements have been made for regulating the retail distribution of sugar by tickets or otherwise?
Captain BATHURSTI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 15th February to the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division of Sheffield on the subject.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTWill the hon. Gentleman consider that by taking action at once with regard to this single article he will gain an experience which will be invaluable if he has to put us on rations with regard to other articles?
Captain BATHURSTAnything in the nature of compulsory rationing would involve the most elaborate machinery and would involve the employment of manpower in such numbers as to divert such power from more essential matters of importance.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIn view of that answer, would it not be most valuable it the hon. Gentleman should gain the experience with regard to this article, in case he is compelled to put us on compulsory rations?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that is argument which was conclusive with the old "wait and see" Government?