5. Mr. DOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the cause of the increasing price of sugar; if any attempt has been made to corner the supply in the West Indies or elsewhere; and what effort is being made to secure a greater supply of beet sugar from Germany and Austria in part settlement of the indemnity?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have been asked to reply. The increasing price of sugar is mainly due to the world's shortage in supply, brought about by lowered production and increased consumption, particularly in America. I am not quite clear as to the exact meaning attached by the hon. Member to the word "corner." There is no doubt that an attempt has been made by sugar producers in some parts of the world to obtain as high a price as possible for their produce. As regards the last part of the question, the present price of sugar offers every inducement to producers in Germany to increase their output, but so long as the amount of sugar produced is no greater than the requirements of that country, no export can be expected. Austria is now a sugar-importing country.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs not the hon. Member aware that a good deal of our sugar before the war came from the Ukraine, and will he use his influence with the Government to hasten supplies from there?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONMy impression is that the imports into this country of sugar from Russia altogether were never very large.
Mr. PALMERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that 6000 tons of sugar have recently been exported from this country? Was that with the consent of the Food Controller?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am not aware of that.