§ 83. Mr. De Chairasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Sugar Commission not to fix the price of pulp to which growers are entitled under their sugar-beet contracts; and whether he will consult with the Sugar Corporation with a view to ensuring that they will not raise the price of pulp thereby nullifying to a considerable extent the increased contract price for sugar-beet?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware that in fixing the terms of the contract for the 1355 purchase of the 1939 beet crop the Sugar Commission have discontinued fixed f or-ward prices for pulp sold to growers. Growers will still have first call on pulp to the extent of at least 1½ cwt. for each net ton of beet estimated to be delivered by them and will be able to obtain it at the net wholesale market price to merchants. This price must necessarily be determined by commercial considerations, including the price of other feeding stuffs, but I would point out that in fixing beet prices for 1939 the Commission have included a full allowance by way of compensation to growers for the loss of a fixed forward pulp price.
§ Mr. De ChairAre we to understand then, that there is a possibility that pulp prices will go up, and does not this involve to a great extent an increased contract price?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir, it is not a question of that sort. Pulp prices have been subject to some speculation among growers, and it is a reform which, in my opinion, is a very necessary one.