§ 23. Mr. BARNESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Dyer Company, of Cleveland, America, has secured the 960 contract to erect the new sugar-beet factory at Peterborough; and if he will state at what cost?
25. Mr. TINNEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the contract for the new sugar-beet factory at Peterborough, which is to cost £350,000, has been secured by the Dyer Company, of Cleveland, America; and does he in this ease propose to grant the subsidy?
§ 27. Mr. ALBERYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the contract for the new sugar-beet factory at Peterborough has been awarded to an American firm; and whether he can state the amount of the American tender and of the nearest British tender?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)The contract secured by the Dyer Company for the Peterborough beet-sugar factory is for £260,000. The business of the Dyer Company is not to manufacture machinery, but to design and operate sugar factories. The factory buildings and at least 75 per cent. of the plant and machinery installed will be British. Indeed, it is a specific term of the contract that not more than £20,000 shall be spent outside this country and this is only to allow for the importation of a few special patented machines. I am informed that the amount of the nearest British tender was £296,000 and, further, that the tenders of British firms were drawn up in conjunction with various foreign machinery manufacturers. Provided the factory company complies with the conditions of the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925. subsidy will, in the ordinary course, be paid on the sugar and molasses produced.