§ 72. Mr. De Chairasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the Sugar Industry Reorganisation Act, 1936, empowers him, in con sultation with the Commission, to deter mine the extent of bonuses up to is. per ton in respect of a poor sugar-beet crop, and that the Norfolk growers received a lower contract price than those in other counties, and the inadequacy of this season's prices has been recognised by the announcement of higher prices next year, it is proposed to pay the maximum bonus of is. per ton to the Norfolk growers this year since the crop has been exceptionally poor?
§ The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Ramsbotham)I have been asked to reply. The question whether any supplementary payment is justified in respect of the 1937 sugar-beet crop will be considered, in consultation with the Sugar Commission, early in the New Year in the light of the information which will then be available as to the results of the crop as a whole. I would remind my hon. Friend that any such supplementary payment must be distributed proportionately among all growers of sugar-beet under contract in Great Britain.