§ 87. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether Home Grown Sugar, Limited, has ever paid any dividend cither on the capital advanced by the Government or on that subscribed by the public; whether any and, if so, what sums have been paid in interest by the Government under their guarantee to the company; and whether the Government is continuing to pay such interest?
§ Major BARNSTON (Comptroller of the Household)I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Home Grown Sugar, Limited, was incorporated on 13th February, 1920. The first accounts were made up to 31st March, 1921, and there being no profit available for distribution, the Government paid £9,186 8s. 6d. to Home Grown Sugar, Limited, in June last as interest on the shares subscribed by the public in accordance with their guarantee to the company. The Government will continue to pay such interest, if necessary, until 1930 unless the company ceases operations as sugar beet manufacturers or goes into liquidation.