HC Deb 16 December 1952 vol 509 cc1191-2
34. Mr. Bing

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the exportable surplus of sugar likely to be available in the coming year from East Germany and Poland, he will initiate negotiations for the expansion of trade with these countries so as to obtain additional supplies of sugar from non-dollar sources.

Mr. Mackeson

I see no necessity to undertake special negotiations for the purchase of sugar from East Germany or Poland.

Mr. Bing

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the statement of Lord Lyle, the Chairman of Tate & Lyle, which appeared on 3rd December in the "Financial Times," in which Lord Lyle said that were imports of 200,000 tons of sugar to be obtained from Eastern Germany and Poland it would be possible to do away with the sugar ration and obtain all our sugar from non-dollar sources?

Mr. Mackeson

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put that Question to my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food.