HC Deb 29 November 1950 vol 481 cc1139-40
29. Mr. Thomas Reid

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what tonnage of sugar is expected this year from the West Indies, Mauritius and Fiji; and how it compares with average output.

Mr. Dugdale

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Reid

Is it not a fact that these countries are expecting record crops of sugar and would not my right hon. Friend recommend the Minister of Food to make arrangements to increase the sugar ration next year?

Following is the reply:

Shipments of sugar during the current calendar year are expected to amount to 1,210,000 tons, as follow: the British West Indies (including British Guiana), 723,000 tons; Mauritius, 376,000 tons; Fiji, 111,000 tons. In the case of Mauritius and Fiji these quantities represent actual shipments over the year, part of which is accounted for by carry-over from the 1949 crops. The average annual shipments for the three preceding years were 1,047,000 tons, as follow: West Indies, 567,000 tons; Mauritius, 359,000 tons; Fiji, 121,000 tons.