§ Mr. Jaggerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how he reconciles the fact, recently announced, that all sugar-producing Colonies were advised some months ago to aim at an increase of production next year of 20 per cent., with the recommendations of the West India Royal Commission that Jamaica had the strongest claim to any increase, and that it should be at least 50,000 tons; and whether he will make an exact statement of the Government's policy on this matter?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe advice given to Colonies to increase production by 20 per cent. was given some months before the recommendations of the West India Royal Commission were received. The views of the Commission will of course receive full weight but the particular claims of Jamaica cannot be settled without reference to the interests of other Colonies in the West Indies and elsewhere. A full announcement will, as already promised, be made as early as possible.