HC Deb 24 February 1937 vol 320 cc2014-6W
Mr. Hall-Caine

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Governments of the sugar-producing Colonies will be specifically represented, apart from the representation of the Crown agents or the Colonial Office, at the International Sugar Conference; and whether, in that case, he can give the names of such representatives?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

In accordance with the usual practice at international conferences the sugar-producing Colonies will not be individually represented, but their interests will, as stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne of the 18th February, be represented by the United Kingdom delegation.

Mr. Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the sugar-producing Colonies subsidise their sugar exports; and, in that case, on what lines?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not therefore arise.

Sir R. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the unemployment in the British West Indian islands due to the repatriation of British West Indian negroes from Cuba, he proposes to take any steps to encourage the re-absorption of such negroes in sugar plantations in these islands; and whether the matter will be borne in mind in connection with the coming International Sugar Conference?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The latest information in my possession does not suggest that there is at present any unemployment in British West Indian islands due to repatriations from Cuba, and the questions do not therefore arise.

Major Procter

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give in tons the actual sugar output of the British West Indies, with British Guiana, Mauritius, and Fiji, for the season 1935–36, and the estimated output in the 1936–37 season?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I have not yet received figures for actual production of sugar in the British Colonies for the season 1935–36, but the actual exports from all parts of the Colonial Empire in the calendar year 1936 totalled almost exactly one million tons, including the sugar equivalent of fancy molasses exported from Barbados. It is estimated that exports in the present calendar year may slightly exceed that figure.