HC Deb 19 February 1931 vol 248 cc1449-51
76. Captain PETER MACDONALD

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any further information to give the House with regard to the sugar-beet industry?

83. Mr. L. SMITH

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to announce that all the 18 beet-sugar factories have accepted the Government's recent proposal; and if he can say what are the prospects with regard to the acreage to be grown during the coming season?

Dr. ADDISON

It is too early for the factory companies to give a reliable estimate of the acreage they expect to contract this year. The Government's offer has been accepted in respect of 12 of the 18 beet-sugar factories, and the Beet-Sugar Committee of the National Farmers Union has recommended the acceptance of contracts under it.

Captain MACDONALD

Have negotiations with the Anglo-Dutch group broken down, and have they agreed to accept the terms offered by the other factory groups?

Dr. ADDISON

The negotiations are not being continued, but the Anglo-Dutch group decided to make quite a different offer. They were not prepared to come into line with the other factories.

Mr. HANNON

Is the Anglo-Dutch group going to spoil the whole scheme? Cannot some pressure be brought to bear upon them?

Dr. ADDISON

I have done everything I could to bring pressure to bear upon them. If the hon. Member can suggest anything more, I shall be glad to know.

Captain MACDONALD

Surely some pressure can be brought on them to bear part of the burden that the farmers have to bear?

85. Sir H. SAMUEL

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the total cost to the taxpayer of the beet-sugar subsidy up to the present time; what further sum is likely to be expended in the future; whether the supplementary, arrangement recently announced will involve any addition to the total commitment; and, if so, of what amount?

Dr. ADDISON

The total amount of subsidy paid on home-grown beet sugar and molasses from the commencement of the operation of the Act up to the 16th February, 1931, was £22,115,727 0s. 6d. It is not possible at this date to give reliable estimates of the probable subsidy payments in the remaining three years of the subsidy period, as many unknown factors influence the position, such as the acreage of beet, the yield per acre and the sugar content of the roots. The recently announced abatement in the reduction of the subsidy due next October will involve a fall from 13s. to 7s. 9d. per cwt. of sugar, instead of from 13s. to 6s. 6d. as under the Act, the total abatement representing a sum of about £200,000. As the right hon. Member will recollect, however, this special concession will be deducted, in the event of sugar prices rising substantially, from the normal subsidy which will be due in the last two years of the subsidy period.

Mr. LAMBERT

How much of this £22,000,000 went to the farmers and how much to the factories?

Dr. ADDISON

I should require notice of that question.

Sir W. BRASS

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea how many people have been employed directly and indirectly as a result of the subsidy?

Dr. ADDISON

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question?

Captain MACDONALD

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much of that subsidy has been paid to the Anglo-Dutch group?

Dr. ADDISON

I should require notice.

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