22. Mr. LAWasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that complaints have been received that foreign ships are being chartered for the conveyance between ports of the United Kingdom of coal and other materials intended for use by beet sugar factories; and whether any steps are to be taken to secure that an industry which depends upon a subsidy from the British taxpayer should not use methods of transport that are inimical to trade and employment in another British industry?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am advised that it has been the settled policy of the beet sugar manufacturing companies to employ British vessels for coastwise transport so far as practicable, and I have no doubt that this will also be the policy of the Corporation, which it is proposed to establish, to take over the undertakings engaged in beet sugar manufacture. So far as I am aware, no foreign vessels have been chartered in recent years, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the complaints to which he refers, I shall be glad to inquire into them.