HC Deb 10 June 1931 vol 253 cc993-4
24. Mr. GRAHAM WHITE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the average quantity of sugar produced per acre of sugar-cane in Jamaica and in Mauritius?

Dr. SHIELS

The latest figures available from Jamaica and Mauritius relate to the crop season for 1929. In Jamaica an area of 44,034 acres was under sugarcane cultivation, in Mauritius 156,085 acres. The production was 65,596 tons of sugar or 1.26 tons per acre, and 234,276 tons or 1.50 tons per acre, respectively. The acreage mentioned is that normally under cultivation. The area actually reaped during the year is somewhat smaller.

28. Mr. HURD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been sent to the petitions addressed to His Majesty by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and Merchants' Exchange and the Jamaica Imperial Association relative to the sugar industry of the colony; and what further action is to be taken to relieve the difficulties of the colony?

Dr. SHIELS

The Governor of Jamaica was requested to inform the petitioners that their petitions had been laid before His Majesty the King, who had caused them to be transmitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies; that the Secretary of State had advised His Majesty that his Ministers would continue to watch with sympathy and concern the difficulties which embarrass not only the sugar industry but also a number of other industries in all parts of the Empire, and would not fail to apply any remedies that may appear to them possible in the very difficult circumstances now existing; and that His Majesty had not been pleased to give any special instructions concerning the petitions. The Governor of Jamaica proposed to suspend for the year 1931–32 the annual contribution of £60,000 which the colony makes towards the cost of the War, and to apply the amount to the relief of the sugar industry during that year. His Majesty's Government have approved this proposal.

Mr. HURD

Will the hon. Gentleman say what other requests beyond the War debt matter have been made in order to relieve the situation in the colony?

Dr. SHIELS

I am afraid that I should require notice of that question.