§ 33. Major CARVERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any agreement has been reached between the beet-sugar interest and the refining interests on the future of the sugar industry in this 1263 country; whether this affects the continuance of the sugar-beet subsidy now granted by the Government; and, if so, to what extent and on what lines?
§ Major ELLIOTAs (has already been announced, the Government have under consideration certain proposals, agreed between the refining and beet-sugar interests and submitted by them, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement either as to the nature of these proposals or as to their likely effect on the future needs of the sugar-beet industry.
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELBefore the Government come to a conclusion on this matter, will they carry out the undertaking given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech last year, that there shall be an inquiry into the operation of the present beet-sugar subsidy?
§ Major ELLIOTMy right hon. Friend will be aware that he asked a question of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 16th March on that point, and I have nothing to add to the answer then given.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGECan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say when he expects to be in a position to announce the nature of these proposals?
§ Major ELLIOTWe hope to be in a position to do so certainly before there is any anxiety about the future arrangements which have to be come to.