HC Deb 07 March 1932 vol 262 c1460
60. Mr. GROVES

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the assistance which is now being given to British overseas territories and British agriculture under the Import Duties Act, the Abnormal Importations Customs Duties Act, and the Horticultural Products (Emergency Customs Duties) Act, he will consider the possibility of effecting immediate economes in the sugar-beet subsidy, the Empire Marketing Board, and the Colonial Development Fund?

Major ELLIOT

It would be impossible to reduce the sugar-beet subsidy which is fixed by law until 1934. The provision to be made next year for the Empire Marketing Fund and the Colonial Development Fund has been published already and shows a total saving of £389,000 as compared with this year.

Viscountess ASTOR

Can the Financial Secretary assure us that the sugar-beet subsidy will come to an end in 1934?