Sugar

HC Deb 25 January 1954 vol 522 cc1454-5

40. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Food the total sugar supplies for 1953 and, separately, the amounts coming from Commonwealth countries, the British beet crop and dollar countries; and to what extent he expects Commonwealth supplies to increase during 1954

Dr. Hill

The total supplies for 1953 were approximately 3,700,000 tons, of which about 1,440,000 tons came from Commonwealth countries, 662,000 tons from home-grown beet, 1,400,000 tons from dollar countries, and 198,000 tons from elsewhere. We expect Commonwealth supplies to increase by about 200,000 tons in 1954.

41. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Food how the present cost of home sugar production compares with the 1954 price of £41 a ton to be paid for supplies from the Dominions and Colonies

Dr. Hill

Direct comparison is difficult, but the cost of home sugar production is at present about the same as that of negotiated price sugar from the Commonwealth. I should point out that the average c.i.f. price of the latter is not £41 per ton, but £43 13s. 4d.