§ Mr. HORNBYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, when guarantees were obtained for loans to the beet-sugar factories under the Trade Facilities Acts, any conditions were laid down as to whether these factories should confine their operations to dealing with British sugar-beet and as to the proportion of the loans which might be subscribed by foreign interests; and whether he will cause investigations to be made into the present activities of these factories and the proportion of their capital which is held by such foreign interests?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, it is believed that about 20 per cent. of the total capital of the factories is held by other than British nationals, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by further inquiry.