§ 17. Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an estimate of the sugar beet acreage to be planted in the United Kingdom in 1982.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIt is too soon to give an estimate because, although the terms of the contracts have now been agreed beween the National Farmers Union and the British Sugar Corporation, contract documents have not yet been issued to individual growers.
§ Mr. FreudWhat contingency plans has the Minister made if the take-up of acreage is insufficient to grow the 1.1 million tonnes of beet that we need?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI assume that the hon. Gentleman's question relates to this country. As he knows, there are two major sources of supply—the Tate and Lyle cane sugar refinery and the supplies available in Europe. I do not envisage any shortage.
§ Mr. HardyWhen considering next year's sugar beet production will the Minister carefully consider last year's figures and note that the yield per acre—per hectare, if he prefers—was enormously greater in France than in Britain, that the difference cannot be explained by climate alone but has implications for the very nature of our capital-intensive industry and the size of our holdings? Does he not agree that an inquiry into the matter is justified?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithFor all crops—sugar beet is not exempt—enormous variations occur due to climate and other factors. Indeed, enormous variations occur within the United Kingdom, but if the hon. Gentleman has evidence of any artificial variation I shall be pleased to examine the matter.