HC Deb 22 June 1931 vol 254 cc25-6
66. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Minister of Agriculture the date of publication of the report which he promised on the sugar-beet industry; and whether copies will be available to Members of Parliament for examination before the Debate on the Second Reading of the Beet Sugar Industry (Assistance) Bill?

Dr. ADDISON

This report will be published on 30th June, and while the arrangement of Parliamentary business is not my province I understand that the prospect of a Debate on the Second Reading of the Bill before that date is remote.

Viscount WOLMER

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that he gave an undertaking that this report would be published before the Second Reading Debate?

Dr. ADDISON

I have looked up the statement. I feel sure that that will be the case.

Mr. de ROTHSCHILD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in answer to a question in this House, he promised that the report would be published last June, exactly a year ago?

Dr. ADDISON

I am sure that I said nothing of the kind.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Can the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that there will not be an early leakage to the "Daily Herald"?

69. Captain P. MACDONALD

asked the Minister of Agriculture what quantity of sugar beet has been imported into Great Britain during the first five months of 1931 as compared with the corresponding period in 1931?

Dr. ADDISON

No official statistics are available, but so far as I am aware, no sugar-beet has been imported during the past two years.