§ 50. Mr. STEPHENasked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to state what steps the Government have decided to take to assist the sugar refining industry in Greenock and elsewhere in its present position?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can at present add nothing to the answer which I gave on 17th November in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Gorbals Division of Glasgow (Mr. Buchanan).
§ Mr. STEPHENWill the Prime Minister say whether or not a statement will be made before the Prorogation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. Gentleman remembers, I gave the hon. Member for Gorbals an answer to the effect that the British sugar refiners had made representations to the Treasury, and that those representations were receiving consideration. The best thing the hon. Member can do is to put down a question to the Treasury.
§ Sir H. CROFTDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that this matter is exercising Members on all sides of the House and is causing a great deal of concern, not only among the Opposition but among his own supporters?
§ Mr. THURTLEWill the Prime Minister, in considering this matter, bear in mind the strong objection which exists to subsidising private industry out of public funds?