§ Mr. HANCOCKasked the Minister of Food on what principle granulated sugar of the same quality is sold at widely varying prices for grocery, domestic jam-making, and manufacturing purposes, respectively?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIn accordance with the policy of supplying the domestic consumer with sugar at the lowest possible price, sugar for grocery purposes is sold by the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply at a figure based on the average cost of purchases made by the Commission, many of which were made when the price of sugar in the world's market was much less than it is to-day. Sugar for domestic preserving is sold at a figure equivalent to the world's price at the date when it was 1285W necessary for the Commission to fix a price for sugar issued for this purpose. Sugar sold for manufacturing purposes is disposed of at prices in conformity with those ruling in the world's markets at the present time.
§ Captain RANKINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a quantity of white West Indian crystallised sugar has been landed in London, but that under direction of the Royal Commission on Sugar Supply can only be left in bond or sold to a purchaser outside the United Kingdom; whether he will state what advantage can accrue to this country by the re-exportation of an article presumed to be scarce; and whether he will instruct that permission be issued forthwith for the release of the sugar in question for the purpose of sale within the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. MCCURDYI have been asked to reply. I am aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. and gallant Member. The world's production of sugar is so far below the quantity required to meet full normal consumption that it has been found advisable to restrict consumption in the United Kingdom to approximately 1,100,000 tons per annum. To allow free private importation of sugar in excess of this quantity would be in direct conflict with this policy, and would defeat its object by further enhancing world prices. No disadvantage accrues to this country by permitting the re-exportation of this sugar to other countries in diminution of the amount which they would otherwise require to import from elsewhere.