§ 81. Mr. Challenasked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the sugar exports of the following countries was bought by the United Kingdom in 1920 and in 1937: Union of South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius, Aus-
— 1920 1937 Total Domestic Exports. Of which to United Kingdom. Percentage to United Kingdom. Total Domestic Exports. Of which to United Kingdom. Percentage to United Kingdom. Thousand cwts. Thousand cwts. Per cent. Thousand cwts. Thousand cwts. Per cent. Union of South Africa 291 246 85 4,337 3,289 76 Kenya and Uganda Not available. 320 192 60 Mauritius 3,592 2,681 75 6,161 5,702 93 Australia* 84 (a) — 8,564 7,184 84 Fiji 1,460 — — 2,594 1,429 55 British West Indies 2,947 2,121(b) 72 8,180 5,832 71 British Guiana 1,675 377(b) 23 3,631 1,363 38 * Figures relate to years ending 30th June, 1921 and 1939 respectively. (a) Less than 500 cwts. (b) Records of exports from the British West Indies and British Guiana to the United Kingdom in 1920 are not available and the figures quoted represent the quantity of unrefined sugar imported into the United Kingdom from these territories as published in the United Kingdom Import returns
§ Squadron-Leader Donner137–8–9. asked the Minister of Food (1) the quantity of sugar imported into the United Kingdom from Cuba during the last 12 months; and what proportion did this bear to our total imports of sugar;
(2) the reason that no sugar was imported from the Union of South Africa, Mauritius, Australia or Fiji during the first nine months of this year, and that the great majority of sugar imported during that period came from Cuba and St. Domingo;
(3) what percentage of imports of sugar, during the last 12 months, has been drawn from Empire and foreign sources, respectively; and the corresponding position in 1937.
§ Dr. Edith SummerskillThe quantity of sugar imported from Cuba during the 12 months ended 31st October, 1946, was 758,840 tons, which was 52 per cent. of our total imports. No sugar was imported from South Africa during the first nine months of this year because of the domestic shortage due to drought. Poor crops and the need to meet our commitments in the same geographical areas, including New Zealand and Ceylon, are the reasons why no sugar was imported
38Wtralia, Fiji, British West Indies and British Guiana.
§ Mr. MarquandThe following statement shows the quantity of sugar exported from the undermentioned countries during the years 1920 and 1937, distinguishing exports to the United Kingdom:
from Australia, Fiji and Mauritius during the same period. During the 12 months ended October, 1946, imports of sugar from Empire sources accounted for 24 per cent. and 76 per cent. came from foreign countries: the corresponding percentages for 1937 were 60 per cent. and 40 per cent. respectively. In that year, however, the proportion from Empire countries was above normal for reasons connected with the introduction of the International Sugar Agreement.