§ Lieut.-Colonel RUGGLES-BRISEasked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated amount payable by the Government in respect of the beet-sugar subsidy for the present season and for each season during the continuance of the subsidy?
Mr. GUINNESSThe amount provided for beet-sugar subsidy payments during the present season is £4,250,000. It is not possible at this date to give reliable estimates of the probable subsidy payments in future years, as so many unknown factors influence the position, such as the acreage of beet, the yield per acre and the sugar content of the roots.