HC Deb 05 March 1931 vol 249 c589
74. Mr. LEES

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can state the acreage of sugar-beet grown in the county of Suffolk during 1930, and the amounts paid to the growers for the beet supplied to the factories?

Dr. ADDISON

The acreage under sugar-beet in the county of Suffolk in 1930 was 51,453 acres. The amount paid to growers for the beets supplied to the two Suffolk factories in 1930 was about £1,270,000.

Mr. LEES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a certain large sum of money has been handed over to the farmers and they are attempting to make slave conditions for the agricultural workers in Suffolk?

Mr. SPEAKER rose

Mr. LEES

On a point of Order. Is not one entitled to ask questions with regard to slave conditions in England when questions are allowed in regard to slave conditions in Russia?

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot allow supplementaries which have no bearing on the original question.

Mr. McSHANE

On a point of Order. The point of the argument is that a subsidy is being given in connection with the sugar-beet industry and we are not satisfied with the conditions.

Mr. SPEAKER

Question Time is not the time for argument.

Mr. LEES

On a point of Order. Is not one entitled, in view of the fact that a sum of money has been given to the farmers in Suffolk, to ask whether they are trying to reduce wages?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must put a question dawn about that.

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