§ 6. Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the surplus of European Economic Community sugar production on the working of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.
§ Mr. FarrAre not the failure of the European Economic Community to respect the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement and its action in building up huge surpluses of sugar causing grave difficulty to developing countries which depend entirely on their sugar income for their foreign exchange?
§ Mr. HoyYes, indeed. We lend our support to sugar producers in the Commonwealth and developing countries as the best way of allowing them to earn their own livings. We would hope that the E.E.C. will find it possible to join the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisCan my right hon. Friend confirm that the E.E.C. has dumped its surpluses on the free market with the help of subsidies and that the example of Australia in joining the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement is extremely good?
§ Mr. HoyI think that nearly everyone will agree that the policy which has been followed by the Government has been the best for the sugar industry as a whole and for the developing countries. That is why I said that I hoped that the E.E.C. would find it possible to join the Agreement.
§ Mr. GodberAs the Question refers to the E.E.C., would the right hon. Gentleman confirm that it would be the intention of Her Majesty's Government in any negotiations for British entry to ensure that we not only maintain but increase our production in this country, because it is important that we should have an adequate share of our own market?
§ Mr. HoyIndeed. My right hon. Friend who was then Foreign Secretary in July, 1967, made it clear when he said that for the period up to 1974 our commitment under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement was a contract which we must fulfil. He also said that we would wish to discuss with the Six how the interests of the developing country members of the Agreement could be safeguarded in the longer-term.