Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Before we pass from this Clause, may I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to make any further statement with regard to the beet sugar industry in this country?

I am not in a position, I regret to say, to state anything more than that we have had this subject under constant consideration for some time now. We have had very exhaustive inquiries made. Those inquiries have now been completed, and the final Report reached me only at the end of last week. There has not been time yet for the Government to consider the matter, but I can assure the right hon. Gentleman, and the Committee generally, that it will be considered at the earliest possible moment, and I think I may say with confidence that, before the House passes the Finance Bill, we shall be able to make some very definite statement on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state who has made this Report.

We have had inquiries made by our own Departments.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause 5 (Reduced Excise Duties on Sugar), ordered to stand part of the Bill.