HC Deb 05 June 1940 vol 361 c854W
Vice-Admiral Taylor

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the value of special Colonial preference certificates per ton of sugar exports in 1939 for each Colony; and whether he will consider a fairer allocation, in view of the changes in the position of the various Colonies since allocation was first made?

Mr. George Hall

The value of the special Colonial preference certificates per ton of sugar exports during the season ended 31st August, 1939, for each Colony was as follows:

Value per ton.
s. d.
Barbados 16 8
British Guiana 19 2
East Africa 10 10
Fiji 26 3
Jamaica 14 2
Leeward Islands 21 3
Mauritius 21 8
Trinidad and Tobago 26 8
Windward Islands 24 2
Average 20 10

It will be appreciated that the value expressed on a tonnage basis varies with seasonal variations in each Colony's crop, and that other conditions, for example, the size of the domestic market and the manufacture and sale of other sugar products such as rum and fancy molasses, vary from Colony to Colony. In answer to the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 8th May.