14. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Minister of Food what success he has had in his negotiations for extra sugar supplies with the delegates from the West Indies.
§ Mr. WebbThe discussions are still going on; we have had three meetings with the delegation so far. But I must make it plain once more that these talks are about long-term price and quantity guarantees from 1953 onwards, not about any extra sugar which may be immediately available, since we are already buying all that is expected from the Colonies.
Brigadier ClarkeWill the Minister say when he anticipates to be able to stop bulk purchases of sugar?
§ Sir Peter MacdonaldHow long does the Minister anticipate these negotiations will go on? They have dragged on for months, and it is about time they came to an end.
§ Mr. WebbThey are not dragging on, they have been going fairly quickly. I think there will be one more meeting and I think it will be possible for the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a statement within a week, but not this week.
§ Mr. DribergIn these negotiations, does my right hon. Friend always bear in mind that some of these Colonies are more dependent on this one export than, for instance, countries such as Australia?
§ Mr. BraineWill the Minister bear in mind the requirements of the British housewife?
§ 28. Whig-Commander Bullusasked the Minister of Food if, in view of world supplies of sugar now available, he will increase the sugar ration.
§ 33. Mr. Hollisasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the abundant supply, he will deration sugar.
§ Wing-Commander BullusIs the Minister aware that he was recently reported as having said that in two years' time there would be a world glut of sugar? Is that the length of time which he places on the rationing of sugar?
§ Mr. WebbFirst of all, I did not say there would be a glut. I said that if the present plans for production go through, we will have to be careful about a possible glut, but two years' time is different from now. The sugar that formed the subject of that speculation is not even grown, and at the moment there is no possibility of increasing the ration unless it were possible for us to spend more dollars on this commodity.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWhy does not the right hon. Gentleman buy from the West Indian delegation the extra 75,000 tons that they are willing to sell, and which is available now?
§ 44. Mr. George Thomasasked the Minister of Food whether he will grant a special allocation of sugar to old people who are in receipt of the extra tea ration.
§ Mr. WebbTo give everyone over 70 extra sugar would mean a drain on our supplies which, I am afraid, we just cannot afford at present.
§ Mr. Peter SmithersHas the Minister not now investigated the probability that his estimate about a glut is fairly near, within a year or two? Surely he can tide the old people over that period, particularly in view of the fact that some of them may not live to enjoy the glut?