HC Deb 01 February 1988 vol 126 cc698-9
81. Mr. Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any further plans to increase aid to Third world nations who depend on sugar production for their livelihood to enable them to diversify and increase their food production; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chris Patten

I am always ready to consider proposals from sugar-producing countries to use the aid available to them to help diversify their economies and increase efficient domestic food production. We already provide that kind of help.

Mr. Barnes

Is the Minister aware that the EEC is dumping sugar on world markets and that that has a catastrophic effect on sugar production in the Third world? The World Development Movement estimates that 12 million workers are dependent upon sugar for their livelihood. Wages in the Philippines are only 35p a day for sugar workers, and great disruption is being caused by EEC policies. In addition to working for a new international sugar agreement, will the Minister consult the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with a view to bringing about a change in EEC beet production policy so that dumping on world markets will not continue?

Mr. Pattern

I have read the interesting literature produced by the World Development Movement. Of course, extra sugar production is not a unique European Community problem. In recognition of that fact, the Community has tabled proposals in the GATT Uruguay round for urgent measures to improve the world sugar market, including a reduction in the amounts that are placed on the market by major exporters.

Mr. Wells

Is it true also that it is important to maintain the support price for 1.4 million tonnes of sugar imported into the country and that, indeed, there is now an opportunity to increase imports to Europe at the support price by increasing the amount that Portugal accepts from ACP countries? Will my hon. Friend support such a move?

Mr. Patten

We shall have several opportunities to discuss the issues as we start on the next round of negotiations under Lomé. The Government remain fully committed to the maintenance of guaranteed access for ACP sugar under the Lomé convention.

Mr. Spearing

Does the Minister agree that access alone is not enough and that the price referred to by the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Wells) is important? Does he agree also that if the EEC is to discharge its moral responsibilities to ACP states, price and refiners' margins are equally important, and that we should reduce the surpluses to which my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) referred?

Mr. Patten

The hon. Gentleman will have several opportunities to ask that question of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.