§ 52. Miss HORSBRUGHasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a firm in receipt of the sugar-beet subsidy is purchasing the jute bags for beet pulp from abroad; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter in view of the provisions of the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925?
§ Major ELLIOTSo far as my information goes, the bags used by British beet-sugar factories for white sugar are pur- 1991 chased in this country, but, in the case of beet pulp, which is a comparatively low-priced commodity, some factories have purchased bags from Calcutta. With regard to the last part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925, does not give me power to impose conditions with regard to the supply of materials and items of equipment for factories other than plant and machinery.
§ Miss HORSBRUGHMay I ask if it is not the case that until now beet pulp bags have always been bought in this country by subsidised firms; and whether it is true that the Anglo-Scottish Beet-Sugar Corporation Limited, of Colwick, Nottinghamshire have placed an order for over 1,000,000 bags outside the country? If that is so, will the Minister of Agriculture make representations, as otherwise all the bags may be purchased outside this country by subsidised firms?
§ Major ELLIOTWhile my hon. Friend is no doubt desirous of maintaining the trade of her constituency, the importance of inter-Imperial trade must also be kept in mind.
§ Miss HORSBRUGHIs it not the case that all the plant and machinery purchased by subsidised firms has to be purchased in this country?
§ Major ELLIOTMy hon. Friend will realise that it is impossible to discuss this matter by way of question and answer, but I shall certainly be happy to discuss it with her either now or later, as I have already done by the correspondence which she and I have had on the subject. I take this opportunity of complimenting her on procuring this further publicity for her constituents.