HC Deb 19 November 1962 vol 667 cc801-3
15. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether he will publish the precise terms of the agreement announced by his Department in a Press Notice of 1st November as settled between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic to extend the powers of the British Sugar Board for the benefit of the Irish sugar industry.

Mr. Soames

The Press Notice, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House, gave the fullest details avail- able of the arrangements which had been agreed in principle for trade in sugar between Britain and the Irish Republic. I shall be presenting these arrangements to the House in the debate on the Second Reading of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill on Wednesday. A formal agreement cannot be signed or published until the necessary legislation to amend the powers of the British Sugar Board comes into force, but I am arranging in the meantime to place a copy of the draft agreement in the Library of the House.

Mr. Nabarro

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the provisions of this agreement look suspiciously like the British consumer and taxpayer subsidising a foreign sugar refinery in the Irish Republic by a substantial sum of money every year to enable that foreign refiner to make an onslaught on the British sugar market, and does he consider that it is the duty of his Ministry to give money to the Irish to undermine British sugar refiners in this country?

Mr. Soames

This is a subject which could be explained perhaps in greater detail. This is a complicated agreement and régime for the sugar industry as a whole. This arose out of the new régime that was brought in some time back which would be of benefit both to the Commonwealth and the refineries at home. The side kick, as it were, from this was that it affected the price at which Irish sugar would be imported into this country. The extra surcharge has been accruing meanwhile to the Sugar Board. This will not affect the price of sugar to the consumer in any way. Irish sugar has been coming in at the rate of about 12,000 tons recently and under this agreement it is limited to 10,000 tons.

Mr. Nabarro

Does not my right hon. Friend recognise that the British sugar refiners see no advantage to their interests in this matter, and has not he seen the report in the Evening Standard of 15th November to the effect that the Irish Sugar Company is known to be producing large quantities, selling its products on the Continent, and preparing an onslaught on the British sugar market? Why should my right hon. Friend assist the foreigner against interests in this country?

Mr. Soames

I doubt whether it is preparing an onslaught on the British sugar market, because in the agreement the figure is limited to 10,000 tons and it must all be Commonwealth sugar.

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