§ Mr. Lennox-Boydasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the grant of £37,500 made in the current financial year to meet the balance of the planting subsidy of the sugar industry in Trinidad has proved adequate; and if details of the expenditure of this grant can be made available.
Mr. Creech JonesThe total subsidy due to be paid this year is £4 an acre subject to a maximum of £64,000 if the acreage of newly planted or replanted cane exceeded 16,000 acres. In addition to the sum mentioned by the hon. Member, a further £20,000 has already been issued this year. I understand that the target of 16,000 acres has been exceeded but the balance of £6,500 has not been paid pending the results of the final inspection of crops which has only recently been completed. The Governor has informed me that the details of the expenditure of this subsidy will be available by the end of the year.