Mr. Rathboneasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the wholesale price of sugar has risen steeply since the beginning of April and is still rising rapidly, and that there are prospects of a shortage of sugar in the United Kingdom market in the next few months; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. StanleyI am aware of the recent increase in the price of sugar and that there are good reasons for supposing that the quotas approved by the International Sugar Council in July and January last are insufficient for the present requirements of the market. The attention of the Chairman of the International Sugar Council has been drawn to the matter and I understand that he is taking immediate steps to consult the members of the Council on the action that should be taken to deal with the shortage and that a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Council is being called for next week. Meanwhile steps are being taken to accelerate the despatch of sugar from Empire countries.