HC Deb 10 March 1931 vol 249 c987
36. Sir ERNEST SHEPPERSON (for Mr. LOUIS SMITH)

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the numbers of factories which have concluded agreements satisfactorily to the beet-sugar growers under the terms of the Government offer; and which are the factories which have not concluded such agreements?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)

Twelve beet-sugar factories have accepted the terms of the Government offer of a special advance and have offered beet contracts to growers on the basis of the Government conditions. The following six factories have not made use of the Government offer: Cantley, Ely, Ipswich, Kelham, King's Lynn and Peterborough.

Sir E. SHEPPERSON

Am I right in assuming that the factories that have not entered into the agreement are for the most part in the Anglo-Dutch group of factories?

Dr. ADDISON

They are all in that group except Peterborough.

Sir E. SHEPPERSON

Has the right hon. Gentleman used, and is he still using, his best endeavours to persuade the Anglo-Dutch group of factories which have, as he said, made these large profits, to come into the agreement with the other factories?

Dr. ADDISON

I am engaged in that endeavour.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Do these happenings not show—

HON. MEMBERS

Order, order!