Commonwealth Sugar Agreement

HC Deb 20 November 1968 vol 773 cc1271-3

6. Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement negotiations.

7. Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on recent talks concerning an international sugar agreement and the future of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.

24. Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Her Majesty's Government intend to extend the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement in view of its value to producers abroad and consumers at home.

29. Mr. Monro

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the International Sugar Agreement.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

The annual talks between the parties to the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement are at present in progress. I would prefer not to make a statement until they are completed. I am very pleased that a new International Sugar Agreement has been negotiated to replace the agreement of 1958, which broke down seven years ago. By raising and stabilising the world market price of sugar, which has been excessively low in recent years, the agreement will benefit the sugar exporting countries most of whom are developing countries. Arrangements are being made for the new Agreement to be signed on behalf of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Marten

While recognising the reluctance of the Minister to make a statement, may I ask whether he would confirm that, whatever other issues are at stake in the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement negotiations, at least the Government will stand firm on the time of eight years for this agreement to run?

Mr. Hughes

I naturally recognise the importance of the agreement to Commonwealth exporters, especially the developing members of the Commonwealth, but the question of timing, with other matters, is one which will have to be discussed in the consultations which are now going on.

Mr. Judd

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that there is a danger that the Government's commitment to overseas aid and development will be called into question if the Government are not able to renew the agreement to its full length, because a commodity agreement of this kind is worth any amount of aid and other charity?

Mr. Hughes

The Government are very conscious of the importance of this agreement. Certainly I am, and I am anxious that it should proceed successfully and acceptably for every developing country which is participating in the talks, but it would not be right for me to go into any detail at this stage; it would not be proper for me to do so in view of the talks which are now going on.

Mr. Farr

Is the Minister aware of the tremendous significance of this agreement for Commonwealth immigration? Is he truly aware of the effect on Commonwealth immigration if the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement should break up?

Mr. Hughes

I am very conscious of the importance of sugar production to developing countries—from my own personal experience. All these matters are being borne in mind in the talks which are now going on.

Mr. Monro

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects the ratification of the International Sugar Agreement, because, naturally, Commonwealth fanners, particularly in Australia, want to have confidence to plan ahead?

Mr. Hughes

I cannot give the hon. Gentleman a date, but it should be fairly soon.

Mr. James Johnson

Will the Minister constantly bear in mind that the economies at least of two Dominions, Mauritius and Barbados, will be completely sunk if they do not get this agreement, that they will be unable to balance their budgets and will face collapse, particularly Mauritius?

Mr. Hughes

I am conscious of the importance of this to the West Indies, the Associated States, Mauritius, Fiji, and other developing countries.