Mr. T. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the recent resolution passed at the Sixth Congress of the Associated West Indian Chambers of Commerce urging that in view of the continued critical position of the West Indian sugar industry, and the difficulty of paying higher wages and improving conditions at the existing price level, there should be an immediate increase in the number or value of the special imperial preference certificates; and whether, in view of the fact that the world price of sugar has been so little affected by the decisions reached at the International Sugar Conference, he will now examine the desirability of overcoming the immediate difficulty of the West Indian sugar industry by the method suggested?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI am aware of the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers but, while I have every desire to assist Colonial producers, I think it is premature to conclude that the International Sugar Agreement will fail to improve the sugar market. I would point out that the existing preference on Colonial sugar already costs the United Kingdom taxpayer a sum of the order of £44,000,000 a year.
§ Sir W. Smilesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider an increase in the number or value of special Imperial preference certificates to the sugar-producing Colonies in most urgent need of relief?
Mr. M. MacDonaldWhile I have every desire to assist Colonial producers. I think 1369W it is premature to conclude that the International Sugar Agreement will fail to improve the sugar market. I would point out that the existing preference on Colonial sugar already costs the United Kingdom taxpayer a sum of the order of £4,000,000 a year.