37. Captain Arthur Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the terms of the International Sugar Agreement provide for sugar-producing British Colonies to enjoy an increased quota as a result of the United Kingdom beet-sugar crop being considerably reduced, or whether foreign producers automatically benefit by a fall in United Kingdom production; and whether he will propose an amendment to the agreement whereby in the event of either the United Kingdom, Dominion, or Colonial quota of sugar-production falling below their allotted figure, this export surplus is allocated to British producers wherever situated on a basis to be determined by the British Government, having particular regard to the claims of the West Indies?
Mr. M. MacDonaldUnder the terms of the International Sugar Agreement it is impossible to increase Colonial or Dominion quotas by reason of the United Kingdom crop being less than the maximum laid down in the agreement. This was one of the definite understandings on which the agreement was concluded, and I am advised that there is no prospect that any alteration in the provision could be agreed.