§ 21. Brigadier-General CROFTasked how far the sugar factory has progressed in Nottinghamshire; and whether the Board of Agriculture is pushing on with the production of beet sugar?
§ Mr. PROTHEROThe arrangements for the erection of a sugar beet factory on the Kelham Estate, Notts, are in the hands of the British Sugar Beet Growers' Society, and the Board have been informed that plans for the factory are being obtained. The Estate Committee of Management appointed by the Board have arranged for the sowing of sufficient seed this year to be transplanted in 1919 for the production of seed that would sow 5,000 acres of beet in 1920.
§ General CROFTHas the factory been actually commenced, and have the Board been able to give facilities for raising capital for the purpose?
§ Mr. PROTHERONo, Sir; we have been unable to recommend the erection of the factory and of the necessary machinery during the War.
§ Mr. PROTHEROThe factory in Norfolk is closed owing, mainly, to the difficulty of getting seed from Holland, and possibly some difficulty in the way of machinery.
§ General CROFTAre the Board cognisant of the importance of having the factory ready at the conclusion of the War—of not waiting till then?
§ Mr. PROTHEROYes, sir. I should very much like to have the factory ready. The difficulty is that as the amount of 13 building and of machinery is very considerable that at present we cannot make the necessary demand for priority.
§ General CROFTWas not the same reply—