§ Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the price paid by the British Government for the Mauritius sugar crop for each year of the war and the average price obtained for the corresponding number of years before the war.
§ Colonel StanleyThe figures required are as follows:
Year F.O.B. Price per cwt. s. d. 1935 7 6 1936 7 7½ 1937 9 3 1938 8 3 1939 9 10½ 1940 10 6¾ 1941 11 11¼ 1942 13 0¾ 1943 13 6¾ 1944 14 6¾* 1945 16 6¾ All of the prices quoted take into account the basic preference of 3s. 9d. per cwt. but the value of the Colonial Special Preference Certificates has been excluded.
* The price paid for Mauritius sugar for 1944 was fixed after full investigation (of the relevant factors) and in consultation with the Government of the Colony and producers' representatives. After similar investigation and consultations an increased price has been granted for 1945 and in addition His Majesty's Government is making a contribution of approximately £500,000 towards the exceptional 1472W situation resulting from the cyclone in 1944. I am able to state that growers are satisfied that their case has been met in a fair and reasonable manner.