§ 5. Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the acreage under sugar beet compares with a year ago; and what are the prospects for future expansion.
§ Mr. PriorThe authorised acreage for 1972 was 443,000 acres, the same as in 12 1971. The guaranteed acreage for 1973 will again be 443,000 acres, but I understand that the British Sugar Corporation will be prepared to contract for an additional 25,000 unguaranteed acres. I expect a substantial increase in acreage when the EECs sugar régime is revised for the period after 1974.
§ Mr. FarrWhile I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to assure the House that when the Australian supply is ended in 1975 the largest part, if not all, of this demand will be met by home production?
§ Mr. PriorCertainly when the Australian quota is phased out a new agreement will have to be reached within the Community as a whole and at that stage the British Government will be looking for a considerable increase in its acreage. I therefore confirm what my hon. Friend is suggesting.
§ Mr. PeartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that while I agree it is important to think in terms of the development of our own sugar acreage he has an obligation to the Commonwealth? Is he also aware that I hope he will in no way sell them down when he negotiates again the Commonwealth Agreement?
§ Mr. PriorPhrases like "selling down" are extremely inappropriate in this case. Our arrangement to continue to take 1.4 million tons from the underdeveloped countries of the Commonwealth remains exactly as stated. No change whatever has been made.
§ Mr. PeartIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster negotiated nothing for the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement during the negotiations and that there is still uncertainty? I merely ask him to take careful note now.
§ Mr. PriorI do not accept that for one moment. The agreement reached at Lancaster House is one by which the Government fully stand. It was accepted by all the under-developed countries of the Commonwealth which subscribe to the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement. The only people who try to cast doubt on this are the right hon. Gentleman and one or two of his hon. Friends.
§ Mr. Brocklebank-FowlerWill my right hon. Friend take steps to ensure that increased manufacturing capacity is available at the time when increased acreages become possible in Britain after the Australian quota has come on to the open market?
§ Mr. PriorI hope that the British Sugar Corporation will pay attention to that question because it is vital for it to see that the additional manufacturing capacity is available. I hope that it is doing all in its power to provide this.