§ 3. Mr. Doddsasked the President of the Board of Trade what further discussions have taken place with Cuba since July with a view to obtaining some of the surplus sugar available in return for sterling to be spent in the country; and with what result.
§ Mr. MackesonThere have been no such discussions.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that at the International Sugar Conference last month, in London, the Cuban representatives said that from a huge surplus of sugar they would like to sell 500,000 tons to Britain at 3d. a lb.? If it is a question of dollars could we not have fewer cigars and more sugar? Sugar should have the highest priority.
§ Mr. MackesonThe hon. Member asked me if we had had direct discussions and the answer is "No." With regard to the question of payment in inconvertible sterling, the trouble is that we would be simply building up a contingent liability later on.
§ Mr. ProfumoCould we not get the sugar if we paid in gold, which we might save by stopping the importation of sugar substitutes from the Continent?
§ Mr. MackesonNo, Sir. If we did we should be damaging our trade with Europe severely.