HC Deb 05 February 1918 vol 101 c2129W
Sir PHILIP MAGNUS

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he can give any information as to the conditions under which sugar beet can be profitably grown in this country; if so, whether the Board will issue a leaflet on the. subject; and whether and, if so, how intending growers can obtain the necessary seed?

Mr. PROTHERO

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the West Toxteth Division of Liverpool on the 29th January. It must be regarded as still unsettled whether sugar beet can be grown profitably in this country, and an estate in Nottingham has been acquired, through the action of the Development Commission, for the erection of a sugar factory and the thorough testing of the question of the growth and manufacture of sugar from English sugar beet, The Board have published a pamphlet [Cd. 6162] giving full particulars of the cultivation of sugar beet. They are informed that there is little seed of good sugar-producing quality in the country at the present time.