Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any estimate has been formed of the value to the beet-sugar factories of refining imported raw sugar during the off season, and of thus balancing their standing charges against a larger revenue; whether any estimate of the value of such activities was made when the beet-sugar subsidy was originally begun; and, if not, whether he proposes to make any allowance for the profits accruing from such activities in determining the future policy of the Government as regards beet-sugar?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have made no such estimate as that mentioned in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and with regard to the last part I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that all relevant facts will be taken into consideration.