§ Major Procterasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in connection with the forthcoming sugar conference, he has caused any estimates to be made of the potential sugar production of Mauritius, Fiji, British Guiana, and the British West Indian islands, with a view to ascertaining the extent to which British imports of sugar from foreign sources can be substituted by sugar grown within the Empire; and, if not, whether he will arrange for such an estimate to be made and published before the commencement of the conference?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNo, Sir. Having regard to the dependence of the quantity of production on prices I am not clear on what basis any such estimates could possibly be framed. There is in any case no time to prepare such hypothetical estimates of that kind before the Conference.
§ Mr. Liddallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how the average output of sugar from cane per acre in the British West Indies compares with that in Java; and whether any estimate has been formed of the reduction in employment which would result, in the West Indies, if the sugar production of those islands were limited by an agreement reached at the forthcoming sugar conference, and if the output per acre were to be improved so as to conform with the high standards which have been obtained elsewhere?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe average output in the British West Indies is about two and a half tons per acre compared with a maximum of about six tons in Java. Improvement is possible but it is not likely that the West Indies, where natural conditions are not so favourable, will equal2922W the Java record. As to the latter part of the question, I would refer to the answer I am giving to-day to the hon. Member for Clayton, Manchester.
§ Mr. Perkinsasked the Lord President of the Council why invitations to attend the International Sugar Conference were addressed only to countries producing approximately 90 per cent. of the total world sugar output; and whether it is proposed to take any steps at the conference to suggest limitation of output in those countries not represented?
§ Mr. R. MacDonaldThe countries to which invitations to attend the International Sugar Conference have not been addressed are those whose production of sugar is comparatively insignificant for the purposes of the world market. It was not desired to render the conference any larger than was absolutely essential. If, however, any agreement is reached as a result of the conference every endeavour will be made to secure the accession to it of all countries, whether actually represented at it or not.
Lieut.-Colonel Sandeman Allenasked the Lord President of the Council what will be the composition of the advisory committee which will assist the British delegation at the International Sugar Conference; and what is the earliest date on which this advisory committee will be able to meet?
§ Mr. R. MacDonaldThe British delegation of Ministers will be attended by sugar experts from the Departments concerned. They have met frequently in recent weeks, and a joint meeting with the United Kingdom delegation took place last week. If information is required about any particular interest concerned, questions should be addressed to the appropriate Minister.
§ Mr. Remerasked the Lord President of the Council whether the production of sugar carried on without State assistance in the Netherlands East Indies, Peru and San Domingo is carried on at a profit at the current world price of sugar; and what will be the increase in revenue to each of these territories for every increase of 1s. per cwt. which may result from any restriction scheme agreed to at the forthcoming International Sugar Conference if their production is maintained at the present level?
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§ Mr. R. MacDonaldI have no information as to the profits, if any, obtained by the countries referred to at current sugar prices. An increase of 1s. per cwt. in the average price of their export for the last complete year available would have enhanced the value of those exports by the following figures:
£ Netherlands East Indies 880,000 Peru 325,000 San Domingo 435,000 Any international scheme must deal with export quotas and other considerations, and, therefore, these figures can give only a misleading indication of the effect of that scheme on the profits of the industry in the respective countries.