HC Deb 19 November 1952 vol 507 cc1846-7
18. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Food the age of the latest complete sugar-beet extraction plant in a British sugar-beet factory.

Major Lloyd George

As different pieces of plant and equipment in each factory have been installed at different dates, it is impossible to state the age of all the plant in any single factory.

Mr. Crouch

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that a great deal of work has been done on prototype machinery? Is he further aware that if we have factories equipped with new machinery, not only will it benefit the home consumers and produce more sugar, but we shall also be able to sell sugar-making machinery in the export market?

Major Lloyd George

I appreciate that. I should like to point out that I think that our industry as a whole compares very favourably with the United States of America, for example. I understand that even in that country they are scrapping some of their plant in favour of what we have now got here.