§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the expected consumption of sugar in the United Kingdom for the year 1976, together with the expected quantity of imports from the relevant ACP States in white sugar equivalents and that expected from the British Sugar Corporation.
§ Mr. BishopIt is estimated that in the calendar year 1976, sugar consumption—defined as sugar consumed as such and in composite goods manufactured in the United Kingdom, and sugar used in the manufacture of goods subsequently exported—may fall in the range of 2.25 to 2.35 million metric tons, white value.
Assuming a normal shipping pattern, imports of preferential sugar from the ACP suppliers this year will be approximately 1.27 million metric tons, white value. The estimated availability of United Kingdom beet sugar supplies in 1976—including part of the 1976–77 harvest—is 730,000 metric tons, white value.
There will be no difficulty in meeting the balance of United Kingdom needs, mainly from excess stocks, which at present are at high levels.