§ 74. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the Cantley and Fly sugar-beet factories have been able to pay on account already sums amounting to 40s. per ton of beet without any additional Government assistance under the British Sugar Industry (Assistance) Regulations, 1931, he will consider submitting the demands of the industry for additional assistance to the examination of an impartial committee, containing representatives experienced in business matters, to ensure that no further Government assistance shall be given to this industry?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer is in the negative.
§ 77. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of imported raw sugar refined by subsidised beet-sugar factories during the off season in 1930–31 and 1931–32; and whether, in view of the fact that these factories are largely foreign-owned and owe their existence 544 to State subsidy, he will consider the possibility of limiting the quantity of imported raw sugar which may be refined in these factories and of providing that resultant profits, if any, should be utilised to repay loans which may have been guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act?
§ Sir J. GILMOURDuring the 1930–31 "off" season beet-sugar factories refined 195,000 tons of imported raw sugar: the figures for 1931–32 will not be available for some time as the "off" season continues until beet-sugar manufacture is resumed in the autumn. With regard to the second part of the question, I have no power to limit "off" season refining by beet-sugar factories or to require the factories to apply any profits of such operations in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.