HC Deb 15 April 1920 vol 127 cc1846-8
86. Mr. MACQUISTEN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that Home-Grown Sugar, Limited, wherein the Government has taken on half of the issue of £500,000, is about to place its contract for sugar factory machinery with the French firm of Compagnie Fivesbille, of Paris, instead of with British firms whose capacity for producing beet-sugar machinery is equal to the French firms; and whether he will instruct the Government's financial representative on the Board of Home-Grown Sugar, Limited, to exercise his power of veto upon such contract?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have ascertained that the contract was placed after consideration of competitive tenders, of which the French firm's was the lowest. I may add that the board of the company was desirous of obtaining the special knowledge of the French manufacturers which was not available in this country, the principal competitors in the United Kingdom not having had experience of beet factories. In these circumstances the Ministry is not prepared to interfere with the action taken by the company.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that at least two-thirds of the machinery that is used in beet sugar making is identical with cane-sugar machinery and that the major portion of it can therefore be made in this country, and is he not also aware that there are firms in this country who have imported special experts in this particular branch of machinery, that France has 120 factories to repair which were destroyed by the Germans, and that their hands will be full for a long time to come, and what is the use of encouraging one home industry at the expense of another?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I cannot say I am aware of any of those facts, if they be facts; but in any case, the best chance for British industry is that this experiment should be successful, and it will only be successful if we give it the best possible machinery.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to represent that he cannot get the best possible machinery in Great Britain, and will he receive a representation from a firm or firms capable of making the machinery?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I shall be quite willing to receive a deputation or a representation if my hon. Friend will bring it to me, but this is a new industry in this country, and we wish to have the benefit of French experts.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is he aware that the firms in question have the best French experts in their employment for this purpose?