§ 36. Major LEIGHTONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make any statement with regard to the policy of the Government towards the sugar-beet industry?
§ 49. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he 31 has now reached any decision as to the renewal of the sugar-beet subsidy; and, if so, whether he will make an early announcement in order to assist farmers in making their plans for the coming season?
§ Sir J. GILMOURWhile it is my intention to consider every branch of agriculture in connection with agricultural policy, I can at present make no announcement on any particular aspect of that policy. So far as concerns sugar-beet contracts for the ensuing season, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on the 12th November to my hon. Friend, the Member for Hallam (Mr. L. Smith) on this subject, of which I am sending a copy to each of my hon. and gallant Friends.
§ Major LEIGHTONCan the right hon. Gentleman give the same assurance as was given by the right hon. Member for Bewdley (Mr. Baldwin) that the sugar-beet industry will not be let down?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am very anxious that the industry should not be let down, but, as to details, I cannot now go into them?
§ Captain P. MACDONALDIf this question is repeated this day week will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give an answer?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am not prepared to say, on this particular point.
§ Sir B. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman press upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the cheapest and simplest method of dealing with this question is by duties and not by subsidy?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAll those questions will, no doubt, be gone into.