HC Deb 14 December 1933 vol 284 cc535-6
66. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Agriculture what proportion of the £37,440,000 subsidy and revenue abatement granted to the beet-sugar industry was received by producers of beet-sugar; and what proportion went to beet-sugar factory owners?

Mr. ELLIOT

The subsidy is paid, and the revenue abatement is granted, to manufacturers of sugar produced from home-grown beets. The extent to which the grower participates in this assistance is determined by the price he receives for his beets. Any apportionment of the figure of £37,440,000 between factories and growers would be highly speculative, since, to arrive at the growers' share, it would be necessary to estimate what would have been the beet price in each year of the subsidy period had no assistance been afforded to the home-grown sugar industry. I regret, therefore, I am unable to furnish the hon. Member with the information he desires. I would add, however, that during the nine years 1924-25 to 1932-33 the total sum paid for beets amounted to 59 per cent. of the income derived by the factory companies from all beet products, after deducting selling expenses and Excise duty, but including subsidy and revenue abatement.

Mr. WILLIAMS

May I ask what was the original capital of the beet-sugar factories, what their reserves are now, and what dividends are paid?

Mr. ELLIOT

Not without notice.

Mr. THORNE

Is it not a fact that the subsidy paid is more than double the amount of the wages paid to the workmen?

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