41. Mr. G. MURRAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a state of uncertainty exists in the overseas sugar industry due to the apprehension that in the future they may again be handicapped by the competition of foreign sugar sold in the United Kingdom below the cost of production, and that this is acting as a deterrent to the further development of our overseas sugar industry; and whether the Government will give an assurance that they will take all necessary steps to prevent any unfair foreign competition in the sugar markets of the United Kingdom?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Baldwin)I am aware of the circumstances referred to, but I am not prepared to give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will take special measures to penalise imports of cheap sugar. I would remind the hon. Member that sugar of Empire origin already enjoys a substantial preference 1981 over foreign sugar on importation into this country, amounting to about ½d. per pound.
Mr. MURRAYIs that preference which is granted by the Government intended to meet unfair competition, or would it not be possible to make some arrangement, like the arrangement before the War, for meeting unfair competition apart from Imperial preference?