§ Mr. RAMSDENasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make any statement on the sugar industry crisis in Mauritius, including the amount of sugar grown per acre, the price f.o.b. London for the raw and semi-refined exports, respectively, the possibility of extending the industry in Mauritius on a paying basis, and the chief markets for the Mauritius product?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe general position of the Mauritius sugar industry was fully reviewed in 1929 by the late Sir Francis Watts, whose report was published as Command 3518. The report gives particulars of the yield of sugar and the prospects of the industry, and it is undertood that there has been no fundamental change in the position since that time, apart from the special circumstances arising from the hurricane 1109W of last year. The prices obtained in London for Mauritius sugar depend upon the world price of sugar, which fluctuates considerably, and on the polarisation of the sugar. Since the granting of preferences to Empire sugar by the United Kingdom and Canada, practically the whole of the Mauritius exports of sugar has been sold in those countries.