§ 3. Mr. BAKERasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of beet-sugar factories in this country, the number of men employed, and the quantities of beet sugar produced?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. R. Smith)I have been asked to reply. There are at present two beet-sugar factories in this country, one at Cantley, in Norfolk, and one at Kelham, in Nottinghamshire. During the last manufacturing season (lasting from October to December), Cantley employed 795 men and produced 8,957 tons of white sugar, while Kelham employed 433 men and produced 4,322 tons of white sugar. At present 251 men are employed at Cantley and 83 at Kelham. A third factory is under construction at Colwick, near Nottingham, and is expected to be ready in time for the next manufacturing season.
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESHas the hon. Gentleman any figures which will give the numbers of additional agricultural labourers employed, owing to the introduction of sugar beet cultivation?
§ Sir FREDRIC WISEIs that full-time employment, for the whole year?
§ Mr. SMITHNo. The first set of figures apply to the manufacturing season, but the second set apply to the numbers employed now. I believe that they are approximately correct, but they might not be exact, for the rest of the year
§ Captain BERKELEYHas the hon. Gentleman any information to show whether or not the figures for employment have been affected by the reduction in the bounty brought about by the Budget this year?
§ Mr. SMITHI do not think the reduction has had much effect on the manufacturing season, which was over before the Budget was announced.