§ 81. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated increased annual loss of revenue involved in the proposal in paragraph 53 of Lord Olivier's Commission on the West Indian sugar industry for increasing the rate of preference on Empire sugar imported into Great Britain from its present figure to the rate of preference at present given by Canada to British West Indian sugar?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENThe additional preference suggested in the recommendation referred to could not be confined to imported Empire sugar but would have to be extended to home-grown sugar. It is estimated that on that basis the cost to the Exchequer would approximate to £1⅓ million a year.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWhen the Chancellor of the Exchequer says that it would have to be conceded to homegrown sugar, does not home-grown sugar already get a complete rebate of Duty?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThere is the Excise, of course.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREHow much does the Excise amount to, on the volume of £1,300,000?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, unless something is done in this matter, the whole population in the Barbados will be out of work and starving?