§ 37. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the cane sugar production for 1926 is being curtailed by the Cuba Cane Sugar Corporation; that the world's estimated production of beet sugar in 1926 will only be half of that of cane sugar; if special efforts are being made to increase the beet sugar supply in this country with a view to preventing further increase in the price of cane sugar; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?
Mr. GUINNESSI have been asked to reply. I have seen in the Press a report of a proposal to curtail cane sugar production in Cuba in 1926, and I am also aware that from recent estimates of the world's sugar crops the estimated tonnage of cane sugar is almost twice that of beet. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that., as a result of the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act passed last year, the acreage under beet in Great Britain has been increased from 23,000 acres in 1924 to approximately 128,500 acres this year, and the number of factories from three to 14.