HC Deb 29 April 1954 vol 526 cc1758-9
2 Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the Departmental inquiry into the proposal for establishing a beet sugar factory in the South of England has been completed; and with what result.

Sir T. Dugdale

The inquiry is not yet complete.

Mr. Hurd

The time this is taking is disappointingly long. Can the Minister assure us that the facts emerging from the inquiry about a sugar beet factory in the South of England will be given to the House before Ministers come to a decision?

Sir T. Dugdale

The group has not yet finished its deliberations on the subject. I hope that the study will be completed some time during the next month or so. I will then see what steps we can take to bring the results of the deliberations before the House.

Mr. S. N. Evans

Will the Minister give an undertaking that the needs and interests of the countries within the Colonial Commonwealth, which are often dependent upon a single-crop economy—such as the West Indies, which is dependent on sugar—will be kept in mind?

Sir T. Dugdale

Those are the kind of points which, no doubt, are being considered.

Mr. G. R. Howard

In coming to these decisions, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it is important, particularly in respect of the existing facilities, to consider the needs of Devon and Cornwall? If a centre such as Taunton could be considered it would be of great use.