§ Mr. JESSONasked the Minister of Food what steps have been taken to disband the Sugar Commission; the names of the members of that body at the present time; and meetings of the Commission were held during the year ending 31st January last; and the number of attendances made by each member of the Commission?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONWith regard to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Thanet (Mr. E. Harmsworth). The present members of the Commission and the number of attendances by each during the year ending 31st January, 1921, are.
Attendances.
The Right Hon. Sir Henry Primrose, K.C.B. C.S.I. (Chairman) 86 Sir Robert Park Lyle, Bart. 86 Sir Joseph White Todd, Bart., J.P 61 Sir George E. May, K.B.E. 7 Claude H. Liddell, Esq.* nil Ben Tillet, Esq, M.P 1 Eighty-seven meetings were held during the year ending 31st January, 1921
*Mr. Liddell tendered his resignation more than a year ago, but owing to the prospect of an early dissolution of the Commission, no steps were taken to give formal effect to it.
§ Mr. JESSONasked the Minister of Food why the recent purchase of 100,000 tons of sugar by the Sugar Commission was made from Cuba, and not from an Empire source; what is the date of delivery of this purchase; what efforts have been made to obtain information in regard to the possibilities of delivery of Empire sugars in the same time; and whether, whenever a large purchase of sugar has had to be made by the Sugar Commission, it has always been, with very few exceptions, at times when no Empire sugar was available?
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§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply was in close and constant touch with all the sugar markets of the world and the hon. Member can rest assured that all sources of supply were explored before any purchase was made. The sugar in question was purchased from Cuba because, in consequence of the financial difficulties ruling in Cuba, it was found possible to effect a purchase on exceptionally favourable terms. The date of delivery of the sugar is February-March, 1921.
§ Major KELLEYasked the Minister of Food what stocks of timber, sugar, and wool the Government have in hand at the last known date?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe questions as to timber and wool should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions, respectively. With regard to sugar stocks I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Thanet (Mr. E. Harmsworth).