5 JULY 1935, Page 6

More Millions for Beet What the delay in producing a

long-term beet-sugar policy is costing the country will only be known when the policy is in fact produced. Mr. Elliot, who has already had nearly three months in which to consider the report of the Greene Committee (itself appointed after indefensible delay), now promises a statement of policy before the end of the session. Meanwhile he has got authority from the House of Commons for the presentation to the industry of a further £2,750,000 in direct subsidy, which with the accompanying rebate of duty means a cost to the Government of nearly £6,000,000, for a period of twelve months from Sep- tember 1st. It is a good sign that two Conservative members, though approving the subsidy generally, demanded far more rigorous control of the finances of the factories that have been battening on the subsidy policy. Some figures regarding their profits and divi- dends have already been quoted in The Spectator. Whatever the subsidy may have been devised for it was not for that.

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