§ 38. Mr. GRATTAN DOYLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, having regard to the pressing need for the development of 864 production in home-grown sugar, he will state the extent to which the activities of the British Sugar Beet Growers' Society has received, and is receiving, the support of His Majesty's Government; whether the results achieved so far are satisfactory; whether sufficient land suitable for the growth of beetroot is being made available; and whether it is anticipated that the growth of the industry will lead to a substantial diminution of the pre-war import of sugar from foreign countries in the course of the next few years?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe society has received a loan from the Development Fund to purchase an estate of 5,603 acres near Newark. This loan is secured by way of mortgage on the estate. Possession was only obtained a year ago, and operations have been confined to the preparation of the estate for the growth of sugar beet and to immediate food production. The further assistance the Government will render to the development of the scheme for a commercial trial of sugar growing and manufacture in this country is at present under discussion with the society. I am not in a position to answer the latter part of my hon. Friend's question.