HC Deb 11 February 1930 vol 235 cc219-20
57. Mr. MARJORIBANKS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now prepared to give any declaration of policy as regards the Sugar Duties?

Mr. P. SNOWDEN

No, Sir.

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Noble Lord who was sent out to the West Indies to report upon this trade has publicly stated that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was ignorant of the facts when he made the declaration in July and that—

HON. MEMBERS

"Order!"

Mr. SPEAKER

This is not the time for speeches.

At the end of Questions—

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to Question 57, I shall call attention to the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

On a paint of Order. Has a Member any right to do that when the House has passed from the question? His time to do it is when the question has been answered.

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter for me to decide.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

On a point of Order. That Ruling has been given in my case on two occasions, and because I did not say, immediately after the answer had been given, that I would raise the matter on the first available opportunity, I was told that I could not raise it at all.

Mr. SPEAKER

It is certainly usual to give notice immediately after the question has been answered, but the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Marjoribanks) is new to the House. I gave him a little latitude.

58. Mr. HANNON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the uncertainty and uneasiness prevailing throughout the West Indies, he will give an assurance that the preferential arrangement already operative in relation to Empire sugar will be maintained?

Mr. SNOWDEN

As I stated in the Debate on the Address last July, so long as the existing duties upon which preferences are given are in operation those preferences will be maintained.

Mr. HANNON

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the uneasiness which is felt about this matter, whether he will not make some statement to the House and indicate his intention to give stabilisation to this industry and prevent disaster?

Mr. SNOWDEN

The statement to which I have just referred vas to the effect that, so long as the Sugar Duty was maintained, the preference would be maintained, and beyond that I am not prepared to go.

Mr. HANNON

Will the right hon. Gentleman maintain the Sugar Duty?

Mr. SNOWDEN

The hon. Member must wait and see.