§ 75. Mr. GILLETTasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of beet-sugar factories receiving Government subsidies and how many people are employed in them; the amount of land used for this industry; and the number of persons employed upon it?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)Fourteen beet-sugar factories in Great Britain received subsidy in the 1926-27 manufacturing seasons and about 6,500 persons were employed in these factories. The area under sugar beet in 1926 was 129,463 acres. Employment on the land on sugar-beet cultivation is mostly seasonal, and I have no particulars as to the number of persons engaged.
§ Mr. FENBYHas the right hon. Gentleman in view what will become of these beet-sugar factories when the subsidy ends?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI think we had better wait for that time before we form any opinion, but, in view of the increased yield and the increased percentage of sugar, I think the outlook is very hopeful.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the total area of arable land under cultivation has increased since the beet factories were erected?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI should like notice of that question, but I am pretty sure it has not.