§ 2. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food why he increased the price for Commonwealth sugar by a uniform rise of 65s. per ton to £30 10s. a ton, when one country did not make any claim for an increase and another asked for an increase only of 35s. per ton; and, in view of this, why the price for Commonwealth raw sugar in 1951 has now been fixed at £32 17s. 6d. per ton.
§ Mr. WebbA uniform price has been fixed annually for Commonwealth sugar for the past 10 years. When increases of price have been agreed, they have been based upon such evidence of increased costs as was available so as to arrive at a fair average price for all the Commonwealth producing countries. This method has been followed in 1950 and 1951 and has resulted in the price increases referred to by the hon. Member. Discussions will take place during the course of this year with representatives of Commonwealth sugar producers to see what can be done to introduce greater precision into the method of fixing prices under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement. I should add, however, that this uniform price for all the Commonwealth sugar supplies was finally agreed to, after negotiation, at their own united request.