§ 31. Mr. de ROTHSCHILDasked the Minister of Agriculture if he can state when it was decided to hold an inquiry into the sugar-beet industry; what 226 length of time the investigations took; and what was the date originally proposed for publishing the result of these investigations?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe preparation of the report on the sugar-beet industry was commenced in June, 1929. The investigation was completed in April, 1931, and the report, which is of a most exhaustive character, was published last month. As I stated in this House in January, 1930, it was hoped that the report would be completed in June, 1930, but in order to supplement the available information both at home and abroad a larger number of inquiries were necessary than was originally anticipated.
Sir H. SAMUELCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the preparation of this report was entrusted to two representatives of the industry itself and one representative of the Ministry of Agriculture?
§ Dr. ADDISONI understand that there were two authors—one a member of the staff of the Ministry and the other the secretary of the Association of Beet Sugar Companies.
Sir H. SAMUELWere they not also assisted in a consultative capacity by one of the directors of the sugar-beet companies?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have not any information on that point, but, if they are to get the information, they must consult the companies.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs this why every member was sent a copy-free gratis?