§ 16. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the representations conveyed to him by the honourable Member for East Fife on the subject of the unfairness of the sugar-beet prices offered to Scottish growers as compared with English growers; whether he accepts the case made in these representations; what steps his Department took to represent the case of the Scottish growers to the Ministry of Food before the price was finally determined; and what action his Department is now taking to have the decision reconsidered.
Mr. JohnstonIn England, farmers meet their own transport charges out of a price at the factory varying from 81s. to 83s. per ton. In Scotland, farmers receive 81s. per ton free on rail, the factory meeting transport charges averaging 7s. or more per ton. The views transmitted by my hon. Friend will be considered along with a statement on the subject I am expecting from the National Farmers' Union and Chamber of Agriculture of Scotland. Although all the implications of his Question are not accepted, I can assure the hon. Member that, as hitherto, representations received about sugar-beet prices in Scotland will be discussed fully with the Ministry of Food.