§ 20. General CROFTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture what Department is responsible for the failure to commence building operations at the Kelham sugar estate in Nottinghamshire; whether the capital can be raised; and whether the sole reason that the factory has not been commenced is the refusal of the Minister of Munitions to grant permits for the machinery and buildings?
§ Mr. PROTHEROThe delay in pushing on this project has been due not to the failure of any Department to commence building operations or to grant permits for priority, but to the generally recognised necessity for all labour, machinery, and building materials to be devoted as far as possible to strictly war work. It is inevitable that other work, such as the building of a sugar beet factory, must stand aside for a time. But I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that as soon as it is found possible to proceed, this work will be taken in hand. I may add that the British Sugar Beet Growers' Society, in whose hands the arrangements for the erection of the factory have been placed, are now engaged with plans to carry the matter forward.
§ General CROFTSupposing the War continues, will it not be a tremendous loss in tonnage if this factory is not built; and the same in regard to margarine?
§ Mr. PROTHERONot unless we can get the seed for growing sugar beet.
§ 21. General CROFTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, owing to the delay in proceeding with the Kelham estate, the Board propose to do anything in connection with the Cantley factory?
§ Mr. PROTHEROFor reasons stated to the hon. and gallant Member in reply to a question on 27th February, the Board do not propose to attempt to resuscitate the Cantley factory during the War.
§ 44. General CROFTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Sugar Commission has any power to inquire into and make recommendations on sugar production within the British Empire; and whether there are any representatives of the sugar producers included on the Sugar Commission'!
§ Mr. PARKER (Lord of the Treasury)Such a power has not hitherto been deemed by the Royal Commission to come within its terms of reference, but to belong rather to the Ministry of Reconstruction. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ 46. General CROFTasked whether His Majesty's Government have now decided on a definite policy for sugar production within the British Empire; and, if so, when can he make an announcement on this subject?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leominster on the 10th of April last.
§ General CROFTIs he aware of the great concern of the Dominions, especially the West Indies, in regard to the future situation? Is the Government shortly going to make any statement?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am well aware of the interest taken in this matter all over the Empire, but I cannot promise to make a detailed statement on the subject, which is being considered.
§ Sir R. COOPERCan the right hon. Gentleman say if the Minister of Reconstruction will deal with this problem at all?