§ Sir J. Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now completed his review on the future of the Cupar sugar beet factory of the British Sugar Corporation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe decision to close the Cupar sugar beet factory at the end of the 1971 season was taken by the British Sugar Corporation and announced by the previous Government on 8th July, 1969. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs and Agriculture has carried out extensive consultations with those concerned and we have carefully reviewed all the relevant information with particular reference to the agricultural and employment aspects. In the outcome I have, with great reluctance, come to the conclusion that there are not sufficient grounds for inviting the Corporation to reconsider their decision.