§ 37. Mr. K. Thompsonasked the Minister of Food what efforts were made to find covered storage space for the sugar imported by his Department in the later months of 1953; and why the accommodation in Liverpool and Manchester was not used.
Mr. AmoryEvery effort was made by my local representatives and with the assistance of the Liverpool Docks and Harbour Board, the Liverpool Warehouse Keepers' Conference and other warehousing authorities covered storage for an additional 60,000 tons was found at Liverpool between August, 1953, and March, 1954. Some 15,000 tons of refined sugar were put into store in Manchester during the autumn of 1953.
§ Mr. ThompsonWill my right hon. Friend take note of the fact that there is a very strong feeling among warehouse proprietors in Liverpool that not sufficiently keen efforts were made to find vacant warehouse space? Is he aware that I am assured that vacant warehouse space existed at the time this sugar was being stored out of doors?
Mr. AmoryI am informed that great efforts were made, but time was rather short and it is conceivable that all the offers of space which were made were not made in time before the arrangements had to be completed.
§ 38. Mr. K. Thompsonasked the Minister of Food what saving resulted from the storage of sugar in barges in continental ports, compared with the cost of storage in warehouses in this country.
§ Mr. ThompsonIf my right hon. Friend is satisfied that this figure represents a net saving, would it not be a good thing to send all our sugar to the Continent to be stored there?