asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the increased difficulties of the West Indian sugar industry following the recent increases in wages and the absence of any rise in the world price of sugar, he will now examine the question as to the adequacy or otherwise of the present rates of special supplementary preference granted in respect of colonial sugar with a view to assisting the West Indian sugar industry by an improvement in that preference scheme?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my written replies of 21st November to my hon. Friend, the Member for Blackburn (Sir W. Smiles).