115. Mr. G. DOYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any proposals from His Majesty's overseas Dominions and Dependencies for the expansion of the sugar industry in those areas peculiarly suitable to sugar cultivation; whether he is in a position to assure the sugar producers of those areas that they can rely upon a reasonably secure market for a term of years; and whether any encouragement is being given by His Majesty's Government to the sugar-producing parts of the Empire for the improved culture of sugar and for the introduction of experiment and research to sustain competition with the highly organised production of sugar now being carried on by certain foreign countries?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Amery)In answer to the first and third parts of my hon. Friend's question, I may say that proposals for the development of the sugar industry in the British Dominions overseas have been received, and are under the consideration of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and that experiment and research for the improvement of the sugar industry is being carried on with the assistance of His Majesty's Government and of certain of the oversea Governments as well as by private enterprise. As regards the second part of the question, the general policy of His Majesty's Government as to preference to the produce of the British Empire in respect of any duties which are or may be imposed has been clearly defined, but I am not prepared to anticipate any statement which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer may make at a later date.