§ 54. Mr. Dayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the latest information received from His Majesty's representative in the British West Indies as to the present position of the cane-sugar industry there; and what is the condition of unemployment in those Colonies?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI am continuously receiving reports from the Governors of the many sugar-producing Colonies in the West Indian area regarding the current position of the local sugar industries, and I have also received reports on the subject of unemployment in those Colonies, but I fear that it is impossible to summarise them within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.
§ Mr. DayCan the Minister say how many of those factories have closed down in the last three years?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreIf the hon. Member will say which island I will try to get him the facts.
§ Mr. RileyCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the report indicates an increase of unemployment in the West Indies?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNo, not recently. Of course there has been a considerable fall in the price of sugar.