§ Lieut.-Colonel BURGOYNE asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, when an hon. Member of this House sought information of the Royal Commission on Sugar Supply as to the reason for the present restriction, a person in the employ of the Commission stated that there was no shortage of sugar; that importation was restricted to prevent any increased consumption, which would not be good for the people; and that in any circumstances the attitude and action of the Commission was not a matter which he could enter into with inquirers; and whether, in the circumstances, he will state when this autocratic control Department is to be abolished, or if, in the event of its reten- 1687W tion, instructions will be given to the staff to be courteous to callers?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON: I have been asked to reply. I understand that the question has reference to an interview that took place a fortnight ago between an hon. Member of this House and the Chairman of the Sugar Commission, Sir Henry Primrose. The meeting was an accidental one, in the waiting room of the Commission, and neither of the parties was known to the other. The Chairman's refusal to discuss the policy and practice of the Commission was not, as the question seems to suggest, a statement of the general attitude of the Department towards enquirers, but followed, I understand, on a declaration by the hon. Member referred to that his purpose in calling was to ascertain whether the motive of the Commission in prohibiting imports of sugar was (in the words of the hon. Member) to "boost particular firms." Sir Henry Primrose, who has had a long and distinguished career in the public service and who is now acting gratuitously as Chairman of the Sugar Commission, naturally regarded this remark as an affront, and declined further conversation.
§ Lieut.-Colonel BURGOYNE asked the President of the Board of Trade who is responsible for the Sugar Commission at 3, Grosvenor Place; who are its members; how many of these persons are connected with the sugar trade and what are the firms with which they are associated; when were they appointed; are their services voluntary; and, if not, what is the amount of their remuneration?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON: I have been asked to reply. The Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply was appointed under Royal Warrant in August, 1914, and the cost of its establishment is borne on the Temporary Commission's Vote. It is responsible for maintaining the Sugar Supply of the United Kingdom and in carrying out this duty it acts in consonance with the policy prescribed from time to time by His Majesty's Government through the Ministry of Food.
§ Its members are:—
§ Sir Henry W. Primrose, K.C.B., C.S.I., etc. (Chairman) (appointed August, 1914).
§ Lord Bledisloe (appointed August, 1917).
1688W§ Sir Robert Park Lyle, Bart. (appointed August, 1914).
§ Sir Joseph White Todd, Bart. (appointed September, 1918).
§ Sir George E. May, K.B.E. (appointed January, 1917).
§ Mr. Claude Liddell (appointed February, 1918).
§ Mr. Ben Tillett, M.P. (appointed March, 1918).
§ One of its members is a director of a firm of sugar refiners in the United Kingdom. The Commissioner's services are given gratuitously.