§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction among East of Scotland farmers with the prices fixed for sugar beet; that the effect of the low price is to curtail the growing of beet in Scotland and so to threaten the continued existence of the Cupar Beet Factory; and what steps he is taking to meet the danger, and ensure a larger production of this crop.
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§ Mr. WoodburnI am aware that in the East of Scotland some dissatisfaction has been expressed with the prices fixed for sugar beet. The prices for 1947, 1948 and 1949 have been fixed after consultation with the National Farmers' Unions and must be considered as part of the whole price structure for guaranteed price products required under the agricultural expansion programme. The prices represent very substantial increases over those previously fixed for 1947 and 1948, and should be sufficient, in my view, to secure the 10,000 acres which are required in 1948.