§ Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that decolourising carbon for use in subsidised British beet sugar factories is purchased from foreign sources; and, seeing that British carbon is suitable in quality and in price, what steps he proposes to take with a view to encouraging the use of British activated carbon?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Of the 18 sugar-beet factories in Great Britain, only five use decolourising carbon in the manufacture of sugar from home-grown beet, and while I have no power to impose on the factories any condition as to the source of the materials they use, I should be glad to consult with my hon. Friend as to the steps which might usefully be taken to encourage the use of the British product.