§ 40. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any fresh stipulations have been laid down in the agreements with the beet-sugar companies in receipt of subsidy as to the housing and other conditions of labour?
Mr. GUINNESSNo, Sir. In the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925, there is no stipulation in regard to housing. Section 3 of the Act, however, deals with fair wages to be paid by employers in receipt of subsidy and provides for reference to the Industrial Court in case of disputes arising as to wages which ought to be paid.
§ 44. Mr. WILLIAMSalso asked the Minister of Agriculture how many sugar-beet companies are in receipt of subsidy; whether the shares were issued to the public; and if he can give an estimate as to the amount of foreign capital invested in such subsidised companies?
Mr. GUINNESSFourteen factories received subsidy during the 1926–27 season. In the case of seven factories shares were issued or are available to the public. The amount of foreign share capital invested in these 14 factories is believed to be approximately £1,280,000.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman name the countries?