§ 56. Sir HERBERT SAMUELasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government propose to proceed with the appointment of the committee to inquire into the conditions of the United Kingdom sugar industry which was announced in his Budget speech in April, 1932; and whether this inquiry will be held and completed before any proposals are considered for a continuance of the beet-sugar subsidy when its statutory term expires in 1934?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs I informed my hon. Friend the Member for the Henley Division (Sir G. Fox) on the 7th February, the beet-sugar and sugar-refining industries have been conferring with the object of submitting agreed proposals for the consideration of the Government. These proposals have now been received and are being examined. In the meantime I have thought it desirable to defer the appointment of the committee to which the right hon. Member refers.
§ Sir H. SAMUELDo I understand from what my right hon. Friend has said that he will not come to any conclusion on these matters until there has been an inquiry into the working of the present beet-sugar subsidy?
§ Sir H. SAMUELMay I ask whether there will be an inquiry into the working of the beet-sugar subsidy, which is involving the expenditure of public moneys to the amount of over £30,000,000, before any decision is reached as to its continuance?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not think I can give that undertaking, but, as the matter is still under consideration, I think my right hon. Friend need not be afraid that any hasty conclusion will be arrived at.
§ Sir H. CROFTCan the right hon. Gentleman not satisfy the right hon. Member for Darwen (Sir H. Samuel) by giving an undertaking that there will be a reasonable duty and get rid of the subsidy?