HC Deb 07 August 1924 vol 176 c3104
Sir GODFREY COLLINS (by Private Notice)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the decision of the Government, as announced on 30th July in connection with homegrown sugar, he will undertake to receive a deputation of Members of Parliament and the trades affected thereby in the early days of the Autumn Session, and before the Bill is introduced?

Mr. GRAHAM

My right hon. Friend will bring the hon. and gallant Member's request to the notice of the Minister of Agriculture, whose Department is the one primarily concerned, and the hon. Member may rest assured that any representations which the sugar refiners desire to make will receive due consideration before the Bill is introduced.

Sir G. COLLINS

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer undertake to see a deputation of the trades affected, more especially the refining industry, before the Bill is introduced?

Mr. GRAHAM

I am not in a position this morning to pledge my right hon. Friend formally to a deputation, but I can assure the hon. Member that this Bill will not be by any means the first to be taken in the Autumn Session, and there will be ample opportunity for considering the Bill.

Sir G. COLLINS

How can the Government conic to a correct decision on this point until they have heard formally the case put by the refining industry in Great Britain?

Mr. GRAHAM

Although I cannot give a definite statement, there cannot be any doubt that the views n ill be heard in the way that my hon. Friend mentioned.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir JOSEPH NALL

Is the proposed deputation in the interests of importers of foreign produce?