§ Major GLYNasked the Minister of Agriculture how many factories for the manufacture of sugar from beet have been put up in this country; how many have been working this year; how many will be in working order next year; are there any more factories to be put up; and, if so, in what areas and by what date?
Mr. GUINNESSTen beet-sugar factories are erected, of which nine were working during the last season and 14 factories in all are expected to be ready for the 1926–27 season. Of the five new factories that at Spalding is already completed, and the remainder are being built at Peterborough, Felstead in Essex, Poppleton near York and Cupar, Fife. One or two further factories are contemplated for erection at a later date but definite information is not yet available.
§ Major GLYNasked the Minister of Agriculture how much capital has now been subscribed to sugar-beet factory companies in Great Britain; what is the total cost of all the factories so far constructed complete with machinery; how many acres were there under beet in 1925 and how many in 1920; and what steps it is proposed to take to ensure that promises of factories being put up to serve certain districts will be carried out, in view of the fact that on such promises many farmers have made their arrangements?
Mr. GUINNESSThe subscribed capital of the 10 factories already erected amounts to £2,500,507. The toal cost of these factories including machinery was £3,800,000. The area under beet in 1925 was 56,200 acres. The figures of the 19262354W acreage will be available shortly, but from information supplied by the factory companies the acreage is estimated to be about 128,500 acres. With regard to the latter part of the question, I understand that in areas where factories have been proposed but are not yet being erected, any beets grown under contract will be worked in existing factories.