§ 31. Mr. Donnerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the recent annual report of the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad, which refers to the dependence of the West Indies on the production of sugar and the evolution of new varieties of sugar canes of great promise; and whether he can give an assurance that no decision will be agreed to by him at the International Sugar Conference which will prevent the 324 development of West Indian sugar production on the most efficient lines, as indicated by research of this kind?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I have seen the report referred to. As previously stated, the preservation of the right of Colonial producers to share in the expansion of production, which will assist in the development of more efficient methods of production, is being carefully borne in mind. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that the development of better methods of production may be fruitless if the article produced cannot be sold.at an economic price. As I have already made clear, there can be no question of Empire production being subject to limitation unless all exporting countries are subject to limitations.
§ Mr. LeachHow can the right hon. Gentleman possibly keep in mind in any favourable sense the claims of the West Indian sugar industry and still go on with the beet sugar industry in this country?