Dr. MORGANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to give the date of the publication of the Report of the recent West Indian Sugar Commission; whether he is aware that its publication is anxiously awaited, especially in the West Indies; and what is now the reason for the delay in publication?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, my hon. Friend will have observed that, as my Noble Friend has stated in another place on 5th March, the Report is receiving the serious consideration of the Government and will be published at an early date.
Dr. MORGANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Report of the investigation into the sugar industry in the island of Mauritius will be published soon and without waiting for the decision of the Government as to their policy for dealing with the sugar industry in the different parts of the British Commonwealth?
§ Dr SHIELSI beg to refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to him and to others to-day regarding the publication of the Report of the West Indian Sugar Commission. The same considerations apply to the Report of Sir F. Watts on the Mauritius Sugar Industry.
§ Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any integral part of the Olivier Report on the West Indian Sugar Industry has still to be received by his Department; and when the Report will be published?
§ Dr. SHIELSWith regard to the first part of the question, Part IV of the Sugar Commission Report was reecived this morning: and as to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given to other questions to-day.
Dr. MORGANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of the Government, as an experiment in bulk purchase, to purchase the whole of the present sugar 1339W crop in the West Indies at a stabilised and equitable price above the costs of production with a view to minimising the Colonial sugar situation?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe whole question is, as my hon. Friend is already aware, engaging the attention of His Majesty's Ministers, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.