§ THE EARL OF DENBIGHMy Lords, I rise to ask His Majesty's Government whether the Royal Commission on Food Supply in Time of War has considered the advisability of encouraging the beet-sugar industry in the British Isles, and whether any Report has been presented in connection therewith; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government will lay that Report on the Table, or will state its general tenor.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD ISLINGTON)My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Lucas, who is unavoidably absent to-day, I have been asked to reply to the noble Earl's inquiry. The question of the encouragement of the beet-sugar industry in the United Kingdom was not considered by the Royal Commission on Food Supply in Time of War.
§ THE EARL OF DENBIGHHas there been no Report issued by the Royal Commission?
§ LORD ISLINGTONI understand that the particular question of the production of beet-sugar in this country was not considered by the Royal Commission, and therefore was not reported upon.
§ THE EARL OF DENBIGHThe other day when I raised this question the noble Lord who has just spoken made some remarks in reference to the Brussels Convention, and to the necessity of our giving six months notice if we wished to withdraw from the provisions of that Convention. May I ask whether the Government will be prepared to take into consideration the advisability of giving early notice with regard to our possible withdrawal from that Convention so as to have a free hand in reference to this question if it comes to anything practical?
§ LORD ISLINGTONThe noble Earl raises at rather short notice a question of policy of considerable importance, and I am not in a position to-day to give him an answer. If he desires to elicit information in regard to future policy in this connection, I would ask him to put a further Question on the Paper.