HL Deb 11 April 1973 vol 341 cc637-8
LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what conclusions were reached at the Commonwealth Conference on the sugar industry.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, the Governments of the developing Commonwealth countries, which were present, agreed to pursue a unified approach in the forthcoming negotiations on sugar with the European Economic Community, and they have set up a high-level Standing Committee for this purpose. They considered that the negotiations ought to be handled under a separate timetable and that every effort should be made to bring them to an early conclusion. We reaffirmed our assurances to the Commonwealth, and the Conference unanimously welcomed the Community's intentions towards the International Sugar Agreement.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for that very full reply. Is there not still a good deal of concern among the sugar producing countries about the effect of Britain's joining the Common Market? As these matters are mostly technical and statistical, might I forward to the Ministry the points that I have in mind?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I should be delighted if the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, would forward to me any points over which he is concerned. I would stress to him that Part III of Protocol 22 of the Treaty of Accession states that the Community will have as its firm purpose the safeguarding of the interests of all the countries referred to in the Protocol whose economies depend to a considerable extent on the export of primary products, and particularly sugar.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, arising from that reply, may I ask whether the Minister has seen the very interesting proposal brought before the European Commission that there should be an insurance scheme which would stabilise the price of sugar and other primary products, and could not that be extended to Commonwealth countries which are not associated with the European Community?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, this will doubtless be one of the many issues which will be discussed between the Community and the sugar producing countries.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, can the noble Earl give an assurance that, if there is an Agreement on sugar between the developing countries and the E.E.C., before it is ratified by the Council of Ministers Parliament will be acquainted with its terms and possibly a debate may be arranged?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I will certainly draw the views of the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd, to the attention of my right honourable friend.