§ 16. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Agriculture which, if any, of the beet- sugar factories in Great Britain which produce raw sugar only, took less than the available maximum subsidy during the 1931–32 season and yet were able to operate on a profitable basis?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI assume that the hon. Member refers to factories that did not accept the special advances payable under the British Sugar Industry (Assistance) Act, 1931. One of the six factories manufacturing only raw sugar during the 1931–32 campaign was not in receipt of these advances, and the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st March, 1932, show that this factory operated profitably.
§ Mr. GROVESIs there any tendency in the direction of the reduction of the subsidy?
§ 17. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the potential maximum seasonal through-put of the existing beet-sugar factories in England and Scotland; what has been the actual maximum through-put in any year since the inception of the sugar-subsidy scheme; and whether any investigations have been 21 made into the economies which could be secured by the elimination of redundant factories?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe maximum through-put of the beet-sugar factories in any one year since the beginning of the subsidy period was attained in 1930–31 when 3,060,408 tons of beet were dealt with, and I doubt whether, even in the most favourable circumstances, this figure could be greatly exceeded. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.