§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the policy of restricting Colonial sugar production 1207W which is being put forward by the British delegation at the International Sugar Conference includes any proposal to forbid entirely the production of sugar or experiments in connection with such production in all British Colonies where sugar is not at present grown to any substantial extent; and whether the governors and legislatures of these Colonies have been consulted in the matter?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNo proposal for complete prohibition of production of sugar in Colonies not at present producing has been put forward.
§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the alarm caused to sugar planters in Barbados at the prospect of a limitation being imposed upon their output as a result of the International Sugar Conference; and whether the Barbados sugar-growing industry was consulted before a decision was reached with regard to the British policy to be pursued at this conference?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have received no information that the general feeling of sugar planters in Barbados is that indicated by my hon. Friend. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Birkenhead, West (Lieut.-Colonel Sandeman Allen) on 24th February. I should add that a special representative of the Barbados industry has recently arrived in this country and will be consulted as may be required with other members of the Committee of Representatives of Colonial Producers referred to in my reply to a previous question by the hon. Member on 10th March.
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§ Lieut.-Colonel Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, with the improved economic conditions throughout the world, the consumption of sugar is rapidly increasing and is likely, in the course of a few years, to outstrip production; and whether he, in these circumstances, will agree to no unreasonable restriction on Colonial sugar exports at the International Sugar Conference?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI am aware that there is a possibility of a considerable increase in the consumption of sugar but it is a matter of conjecture whether such possible increase exceeds the larger potential increase of production. If any regulation scheme is agreed to it is certainly intended that provision should be made for increases of export quotas to meet any increased demand.