§ 68. Sir WALTER de FRECEasked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the absence of any restriction, how much foreign machinery has actually been obtained from abroad by the three Van Rossum sugar-beet factories?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Edward Wood)The total approximate commitments of all beet-sugar factories in respect of foreign plant and machinery were included in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on the 15th ultimo. I am inquiring into the amount which has actually been delivered to the factories referred to in my hon. Friend's question and will communicate with him when my inquiries are complete.
§ Mr. HANNONIs the right hon. Gentleman's Department giving every possible opportunity to British manufacturers to avail themselves of the order before offers are made to foreign manufacturers?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not a fact that this man Van Rossum is a Dutchman who is getting this grant from the Government and being subsidised?
§ Mr. WOODThat is undoubtedly true. I am not sure whether it actually arises out of the question, but I have always understood that one of the very objects of any effort at protecting any home industry was to induce the foreigner to come and erect factories in this country.
§ Mr. STEPHENHow much foreign capital is being invested in these companies which are being subsidised by the British taxpayer?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question should be put down.