§ Sir A. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will increase the sugar beet acreage in Great Britain in 1964, in view of the world sugar situation.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Secretary of State for Scotland and I have reviewed, in consultation with the Farmers'Unions, the permitted sugar beet acreage for 1964 in the light of recent developments in the world sugar situation. Homegrown sugar is being produced at much less than the current world price which may remain high for some time. We have decided that the acreage for which the British Sugar Corporation may contract in 1964 should be increased by 20,000 acres in England and Wales and 750 acres in Scotland. This increase can be handled by the existing factories. Whether the increased acreage can be continued in subsequent years will depend on developments in the world sugar situation.
As a result of our home production and our arrangements with the Commonwealth there is no shortage of sugar available to this country.