HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 cc253-4W
Mr. Stainton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the net figure of distribution payments and surcharge receipts incurred by the Sugar Board in the year to 31st January 1974 compared with outgoings of £52.4 million in 1973; what is the comparative figure so far this year; and what are the present advances by him to the Sugar Board.

Mr. Peart

There will be no figure for the year ended 31st January 1974 comparable with the £52.4 million to which the hon. Member refers. This is because the system of surcharges and deficiency payments ended when the United Kingdom adopted the common agricultural policy on 1st February 1973. But the mechanism for making distribution payments was temporarily continued until 30th June 1973 to enable the Exchequer to stabilise the ex-refinery price at a cost of about £11 million. Advances to the Sugar Board after 31st January 1973 will be published in due course in the Sugar Board's accounts.

Mr. Hall-Davis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to ensure that supplies of sugar to holiday areas reflect the movement of visitors into those areas in the summer months.

Mr. Bishop

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour) and the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) on 26th July 1974.

Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much he now expects Commonwealth producers to fall short of their quota of 1.4 million tons of sugar exports to the EEC.

Mr. Bishop

My right hon. Friend has affirmed to the Council of Ministers the United Kingdom Government's commitment to securing access for 1.4 million tons of sugar on fair terms from the developing Commonwealth sugar producers. Negotiations with the Governments of the developing countries concerned have not yet been completed; it is therefore premature to talk of a shortfall at this stage.

Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will increase prices paid to sugar producers to the level prevailing in the rest of the European Community, so as to ensure adequate supplies of domestic sugar next year.

Mr. Bishop

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, to the right hon. Member for Cambridgeshire (Mr. Pym) on 17th July.

Mr. Rost

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to encourage more sugar beet production.

Mr. Bishop

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Huntingdonshire (Sir D. Renton), and Cheltenham (Sir D. Dodds-Parker).