§ 45. Mr. GROVESasked the Prime Minister whether, in determining the composition of the committee to investigate the sugar-beet industry of this country, he will secure that it is judicial in character and contains no member interested in any way in the sugar-beet or any allied industry nor any official from any Government Department responsible for evolving or administering the subsidy scheme?
§ 46. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the Prime Minister if he can now make any statement as to the composition of the committee that is to investigate the sugar-beet industry; and whether this committee is to consider the question of evolving an imperial sugar policy?
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject, but the suggestion of the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) will be borne in mind.
§ Captain MACDONALDCan the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to make a statement?
§ Mr. BALDWINNo.
§ 71. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the percentage of molasses produced by the beet-sugar factories making white sugar since the passage of the Finance Act, 1928, as compared with the factories making raw sugar; what has been the tonnage of that molasses; what subsidy has been paid on it; and what was its market value after the subsidy had been paid?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs the answer contains a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The information asked for in the first three parts of the question is as follows:
537§ I regret that I am unable to answer the last part of the question, but the prices received by the factories for molasses produced in the three years 1928–29 to 1930–31 averaged roughly £2 6s. 8d. per ton.