§ 11. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food how much per lb. in pence he is paying, respectively, for sugar recently 1148 purchased from Cuba, from Jamaica, and from domestic suppliers, the prices to be inclusive of all transport and other costs.
§ Mr. OsborneWhile recognising that the figure of 4d. denotes a kind of bargain basement price that cannot be regarded as normal, may I ask whether there is any limit either in price or in time to the guarantee that we give to the Imperial producers of sugar?
Dr. HillThe Commonwealth Agreement lasts until 1960, with provision thereafter for its annual renewal. There is nothing in this purchase which in any way affects that agreement or the position of the Commonwealth producers there-under.
§ Mr. BottomleyIs the Minister aware that in 1951, when it was my responsibility to buy sugar for the British nation, I suggested approaching Cuba and the "Daily Express" headlined it by saying: "Big-hearted Arthur giving away the Empire." Is the Minister interfering with the freedom of the Press, or has the "Daily Express" thought better of it?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Parliamentary Secretary is not responsible for the "Daily Express."
§ Mr. BottomleyI was not suggesting, Mr. Speaker, that the Parliamentary Secretary is responsible for the "Daily Express." What I asked is whether the Minister of Food used his powers in any way to prevent the "Daily Express" from repeating these things?
§ Mr. FernyhoughDoes the Parliamentary Secretary think that when the buying of sugar is turned over to private people it will be possible for them to buy as cheaply as this sugar from Cuba, which has been bought by the method of bulk purchase which hon. Members opposite have so often condemned?
Dr. HillI cannot speculate on future prices. [An HON. MEMBER: "Have a guess."] I will not even proceed to the art of guessing. I have no reason to suppose that the private traders will not do better than Government purchase.
§ 18. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Food the price of sugar per lb. bought 1149 under the Cuban contract, and what will be the retail selling price per 1b. when the subsidy is withdrawn.
Dr. HillAbout 2½d. per lb., free alongside ship in Cuba, which is equivalent to about 4d. per lb. landed duty paid. I cannot yet say what the retail selling price will be when the subsidy is withdrawn.
§ Mrs. MannDoes the hon. Gentleman anticipate that, when the subsidy is withdrawn, its amount, about 1d., will be added to the present price of sugar?
Dr. HillThe Cuban sugar is one-fifth of our total supply. Prices for sugar from other sources, including the Commonwealth and home production, for next year are not yet ascertainable, so it is not possible to give a precise answer. Although it is hoped that it will be possible to remove the subsidy without an increase in price, this cannot be definitely stated now.
§ 19. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Food if he will take steps to control the prices of cakes, biscuits, soft drinks, icecream, etc., consequent on the withdrawal of the subsidy from sugar.
§ 20. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Food what proportion of the sugar secured from Cuba will be allocated to makers of confectionery and chocolates.
Dr. HillIt is impossible to separate out the allocation of this sugar from that of the other sugar distributed.
§ Mr. SorensenMay we anticipate a substantial increase in the quantity of sweets and confectionery at no higher prices?
Dr. HillThe percentage of total sugar supplies which goes to this end is between 9 and 10. Both the domestic ration and the manufacturing allocations are to be increased by 20 per cent. on 17th May, but the percentage of between 9 and 10 will remain the same.
§ Mr. NabarroIs my hon. Friend aware that the first result of his Cuban transaction will be to replace Socialist shortage by Tory abundance?
§ Mr. BottomleyCan the Parliamentary Secretary say what will be the price per lb. of sugar from the West Indies?
Dr. HillThe right hon. Gentleman will recall that I gave the figure, 5½d. per lb., in respect of Jamaica.