HC Deb 06 December 1948 vol 459 c13
19. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Food how much sugar or sugar products were exported to the West Indies in the first nine months of 1948.

Dr. Summerskill

Sugar exported from the United Kingdom to the British West Indies this year has consisted of a few hundred tons of refined sugar supplied to the non-sugar producing colonies of Bermuda and Grenada.

Sir W. Smithers

Has the hon. Lady ever heard of the proverb, "Why send coals to Newcastle"?

28. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of sugar from East Africa has been imported during 1946 and 1947, respectively; and how this compares with 1937 and 1938.

Dr. Summerskill

Only negligible quantities of sugar were imported into this country from East Africa in 1946 and none in 1947, but the Ministry purchased 10,200 tons and 14,600 tons in these years respectively which was shipped direct to other Colonial Territories. In 1937 and 1938 the imports of sugar into this country from East Africa were 16,003 and 16,086 tons, respectively.