Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Food whether sugar was being retailed in Natal at 3¼d. per pound during the month of May; and whether he has the average retail price quotations for sugar for the last month in Japan, Buenos Ayres, and Cuba?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI understand that the maximum retail price of sugar in Natal at the end of April was 6d. per lb., and I have no information as to its having been sold at a lower price. The retail price in Japan at the end of April was 1s. 3¾d. per English pound. It is reported that this figure has risen slightly during the month of May. The retail price in Buenos Ayres during May was 1s. 3¼d. per lb. The retail price in Cuba during May was 1s. 2d. per lb., and it is expected that it will shortly rise to 1s. 3d. per lb. All these prices have been calculated at normal rates of exchange My hon. Friend will of course realise that these countries are themselves sugar-producing countries.