§ Mr. LOUGHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the official quotation of 8th October for refined granulated sugar as less than 2½d. per lb. wholesale in New York and 2½d. retail; and, if so, whether he will state the price in London?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe prices referred to by my right hon. Friend appear to be the duty—paid wholesale price and the advertised price of a retail firm which was making a leading line of sugar in1588W 25 lb. lots. The wholesale bonded price of sugar in New York on Monday, 9th October was, I am informed, $5.90 per 100 lbs., or 27s. 9d. per cwt., and the wholesale bonded price in London on the same day was 26s. 10¾d. per cwt. net.
§ Mr. LOUGHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give particulars of the representations which came from consumers who actually used sugar in manufacture which induced the Government to start the operations of the Sugar Commission?
Mr. RUNCIMANIt is not possible to give particulars of those representations. The necessity of prompt action by the State in the matter of our sugar supplies was brought to the attention of the Government from many quarters. My right hon. Friend will recollect that all the sugar consuming interests were in constant communication with the Chairman, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he intends to take any steps to secure a reasonable supply of sugar for Ireland?
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the shortage of sugar in Ireland; and if he will take the necessary steps to allot to Ireland her proportional share of the supply now within the control of the Government?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe same system of distribution is applicable to Ireland as to the rest of the United Kingdom, and the Sugar Commission will be glad to investigate any cases in which it can be shown that this system is not being adhered to.