§ Captain BOWYERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether all restrictions on the import of sugar are to be removed as from the 28th February; whether he is aware, if this is so, that 1648W thereafter the sugar refiners of this country will be subject to severe competition from the product of foreign countries enjoying advantages over this country in the matter of cheap labour and favourable exchange, as well as from British Colonial sugar enjoying the preferential rate of duty; and whether he will take some steps in the forthcoming Budget in respect of this essential industry, employing a large number of workpeople?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAfter full discussion with the refiners, the Food Controller removed on the 26th February all restrictions on the import of sugar. This step is an essential part in the declared policy of His Majesty's Government, that War control should be removed as quickly as possible. I think the apprehensions of my hon. and gallant Friend as regards foreign competition are, at any rate, premature so far as the sugar industry is concerned; and, in any case, I could not now make any statement as to future legislation.