HC Deb 22 January 1918 vol 101 cc783-4
70. General CROFT

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether ships homeward bound from the West Indies in the last year have sailed light; and whether there is any scarcity of sugar for export in the West Indies?

Mr. PARKER

The information asked for in the first part of the question should be obtained from the Ministry of Shipping. As the bulk of the new crop is not yet available for export the quantity of sugar awaiting shipment in the West Indies is at present small.

Mr. BILLING

Are we to understand that the Ministry of Food cannot get information from the Ministry of Shipping?

71. General CROFT

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the passengers on board a homeward-bound steamer from East and South Africa when arriving at Plymouth were compelled to throw all supplies of sugar in their possession overboard; whether any instructions exist to enforce this order; and what action he proposes to take?

Mr. PARKER

The Customs Regulations, which are framed to carry out the wishes of the Sugar Commission, require that sugar imported by passengers without licence in quantities exceeding 1 lb. is to be seized and sold for the benefit of the community at large. I hesitate to believe, on the strength of the newspaper extract with which my hon. and gallant Friend has furnished me, that passengers on any ship have thrown considerable supplies of sugar overboard. There is certainly no ground for the suggestion that-they were compelled to do so.

General CROFT

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into the case if I send him the name and address?

Mr. PARKER

I understand inquiries have been made.

General CROFT

Is there any result of the inquiries?

Mr. PARKER

The result is contained in the answer I have read out.

Mr. ALDEN

Is it the case that members of the mercantile marine who have brought in small quantities of sugar have had it taken away, and what is the object of it?

Mr. PARKER

I suppose the object is to carry out the decision of the Food Controller that no one shall have more than a certain quantity of sugar.

Mr. ALDEN

Do we not need sugar in this country?

Mr. PARKER

The answer I have given states that the sugar so seized shall be distributed over the general community.