§ 42. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why, in view of the fact that the price of sugar on the world market has doubled in the last six years, he rejected the request at the Annual Price Review made by the National Farmers' Union for an increase in the sugar beet acreage and its price.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Scott-Hopkins)The purpose of our arrangements with home farmers and the Commonwealth is to assure a steady supply of sugar in this country, at stable prices regardless of movements in the world price. It is not our policy to raise our acreage quotas or our guaranteed price when the world price is high, nor to reduce them when the world price is low.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltCan we be assured that the home sugar industry will not suffer any decrease in an increasing sugar market in this country?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsYes, indeed.